[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 19 (Thursday, January 29, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4810-4811]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01556]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2015-0132; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-038-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7 airplanes. This proposed AD results
from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated
by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an
unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as the potential for a spring on the compressor clutch plate
to shear the oil cooler inlet-hose due to the close routing of these
parts without a protective cover. We are issuing this proposed AD to
require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 16, 2015.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact PILATUS
AIRCRAFT LTD., Customer Technical Support (MCC), P.O. Box 992, CH-6371
Stans, Switzerland; phone: +41 (0)41 619 67 74; fax: +41 (0)41 619 67
73; email: aircraft.com">Techsupport@pilatus-aircraft.com; internet: http://
www.pilatus-aircraft.com. You may view this service information at the
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call (816) 329-4148.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0132; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-0132;
Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-038-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), which is the aviation
authority for Switzerland, has issued AD HB-2014-008, dated December 9,
2014 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7 airplanes and was based
on mandatory continuing airworthiness information originated by an
aviation authority of another country. The MCAI states:
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is prompted due to an unprotected
routing of the oil cooler inlet-hose close to the air conditioning
compressor clutch plate.
If a spring on the compressor clutch plate shears it could lead to a
damage of the oil hose and the engine oil can spill into the engine
bay.
In order to correct and control the situation, this AD requires the
installation of a cover assembly which will be mounted on the
attachment points of the compressor.
You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0132.
Relevant Service Information
PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. has issued PILATUS PC-7 Service Bulletin No:
21-012, dated November 4, 2014. The actions described in this service
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in
the MCAI. The PILATUS PC-7 Service Bulletin No: 21-012, dated November
4, 2014, describes procedures for installing a cover assembly to the
compressor to protect the engine oil hose.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 10 products of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 6 work-hours per
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost
about $1,250 per product.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $17,600, or $1,760 per product.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue
[[Page 4811]]
rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
PILATUS Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. FAA-2015-0132; Directorate
Identifier 2014-CE-038-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by March 16, 2015.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7 airplanes,
all serial numbers, that
(1) have not incorporated the actions of any version of PILATUS
PC-7 Service Bulletin No: 21-006, which allows for the installation
of a different air conditioning compressor mounted at a different
location and thus making the unsafe condition nonexistent; and
(2) are certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 21: Air
Conditioning.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as the potential
for a spring on the compressor clutch plate to shear the oil cooler
inlet-hose due to the close routing of these parts without a
protective cover. We are issuing this AD to correct the unprotected
routing of the oil cooler inlet-hose, which could lead to damage of
the oil hose resulting in an engine oil spill into the engine bay.
(f) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, within the next 120 days after the
effective date of this AD, install a cover assembly on the
attachment points of the compressor following the Accomplishment
Instructions in PILATUS PC-7 Service Bulletin No: 21-012, dated
November 4, 2014.
(g) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send
information to ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane
to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal
inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO),
or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn:
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
(h) Related Information
Refer to MCAI Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) AD HB-
2014-008, dated December 9, 2014; and any version of PILATUS PC-7
Service Bulletin No: 21-006, for related information. You may
examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0132. For service
information related to this AD, contact PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD.,
Customer Technical Support (MCC), P.O. Box 992, CH-6371 Stans,
Switzerland; phone: +41 (0)41 619 67 74; fax: +41 (0)41 619 67 73;
email: aircraft.com">Techsupport@pilatus-aircraft.com; internet: http://
www.pilatus-aircraft.com. You may review this referenced service
information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 20, 2015.
Robert Busto,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-01556 Filed 1-28-15; 8:45 am]
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