[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 152 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42203-42205]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20838]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-30-AD; Amendment 39-10692; AD 98-16-16]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7 airplanes. This AD
requires replacing the seal unit on both main landing gear (MLG) legs
and the nose landing gear (NLG) leg. This AD is the result of mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness
authority for Switzerland. The actions specified by
[[Page 42204]]
this AD are intended to prevent MLG or NLG failure caused by
deterioration of a MLG or NLG leg seal unit, which could result in
damage to the airplane or airplane control problems during takeoff,
landing, or taxi operations.
DATES: Effective September 21, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of September 21, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans,
Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 6233; facsimile: +41 41 610 3351.
This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-30-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register,
800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Roman T. Gabrys, Aerospace
Engineer, Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane Certification Service,
FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone:
(816) 426-6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Pilatus
Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7 airplanes was published in the Federal
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on May 29, 1998 (63
FR 29360). The NPRM proposed to require replacing the seal unit on both
MLG legs and the NLG leg. Accomplishment of the proposed action as
specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with Pilatus Service
Bulletin No. 32-018, dated March 6, 1998.
The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for
Switzerland.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 5 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 workhours per
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $932 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $7,060, or $1,412 per airplane.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the
caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
98-16-16 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-10692; Docket No. 98-
CE-30-AD.
Applicability: Model PC-7 airplanes, all manufacturer serial
numbers (MSN) up to and including MSN 609, certificated in any
category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
To prevent main landing gear (MLG) or nose landing gear (NLG)
failure caused by deterioration of a MLG or NLG leg seal unit, which
could result in damage to the airplane or airplane control problems
during takeoff, landing, or taxi operations, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service after the
effective date of this AD, replace the seal unit on both MLG legs
and the NLG leg in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS
section of Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 32-018, dated March 6, 1998.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install,
on an affected airplane, a MLG leg or NLG leg that does not have an
improved seal unit installed in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT
INSTRUCTIONS section of Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 32-018, dated
March 6, 1998.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut,
suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane
Directorate.
[[Page 42205]]
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(e) Questions or technical information related to Pilatus
Service Bulletin No. 32-018, dated March 6, 1998, should be directed
to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans,
Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 6233; facsimile: +41 41 610 3351.
This service information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
(f) The replacements required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 32-018, dated March 6,
1998. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer
Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland. Copies may be inspected
at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room
1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700,
Washington, DC.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Swiss AD HB 98-
069, dated March 23, 1998.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on September 21, 1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 28, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-20838 Filed 8-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U