[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 209 (Wednesday, October 29, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56064-56065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28578]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-18-AD; Amendment 39-10180; AD 97-22-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft LTD Models PC-6/B1-H2,
PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, and PC-12 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 (Pilatus) Models PC-6/B1-H2,
PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4 airplanes and all Pilatus Model PC-12 airplanes.
This AD requires amending the Limitations Section of either the
airplane flight manual (AFM) or the pilot's operating handbook (POH) to
prohibit the positioning of the power levers below the flight idle stop
while the airplane is in flight. This AFM amendment will include a
statement of consequences if the limitation is not followed. This AD
results from numerous incidents and five documented accidents involving
airplanes equipped with turboprop engines where the propeller beta was
improperly utilized during flight. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent loss of airplane control or engine overspeed with
consequent loss of engine power caused by the power levers being
positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 5, 1997.
ADDRESSES: The AFM revisions referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., CH-6370 Stans, Switzerland. This information may
also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 97-CE-
18-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: J. Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 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 Pilatus Models PC-6/
B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4 airplanes and PC-12 series airplanes was
published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM) on July 2, 1997 (62 FR 35700). The NPRM proposed to require
amending the Limitations Section of the AFM or POH to prohibit the
positioning of the power levers below the flight idle stop while the
airplane is in flight, including a statement of consequences if the
limitation is not followed. Amending the AFM or POH would be
accomplished by inserting one of the following, as applicable:
--Temporary Revision To Pilatus/PC-6 B1 and B2 Series Airplanes Flight
Manuals; Section 1; Certificate Limitations; Issued: November 29, 1996;
and
--Temporary Revision To PC-12 Pilot's Operating Handbook; Pilatus
Report No. 01973-001, dated November 20, 1996.
The NPRM is the result of numerous incidents and five documented
accidents involving airplanes equipped with turboprop engines where the
propeller beta was improperly utilized during flight.
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.
Compliance Time of This AD
The FAA has determined that the compliance time of this AD should
be specified in calendar time instead of hours time-in-service. While
the condition addressed by this AD is unsafe while the airplane is in
flight, the condition is not a result of repetitive airplane operation;
the potential of the unsafe condition occurring is the same on the
first flight as it is for subsequent flights. The compliance time of
``30 days after the effective date of this AD'' will not inadvertently
ground airplanes and would assure that all owners/operators of the
affected airplanes accomplish this AD in a reasonable time period.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 72 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per
airplane to incorporate the required AFM amendment, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Since an owner/
operator who holds at least a private pilot's certificate as authorized
by sections 43.7 and 43.11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
43.7 and 43.11) can accomplish this AD, the only cost impact upon the
public is the time it will take the affected airplane owner/operators
to amend the AFM or POH.
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)
[[Page 56065]]
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, 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 USC 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:
97-22-08 Pilatus Aircraft, Ltd.: Amendment 39-10180; Docket No. 97-
CE-18-AD.
Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes,
certificated in any category:
--Model Pilatus Models PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4 airplanes,
all serial numbers, that are equipped with a Pratt and Whitney PT6A
turboprop engine; and
--Model Pilatus PC-12 airplanes, all serial numbers.
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 within the next 30 days after the effective
date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent loss of airplane control or engine overspeed with
consequent loss of engine power caused by the power levers being
positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in
flight, accomplish the following:
(a) Amend the Limitations Section of the airplane flight manual
(AFM) or pilot's operating handbook (POH) by inserting the following
revisions, as applicable:
(1) Temporary Revision To Pilatus/PC-6 B1 and B2 Series
Airplanes Flight Manuals; Section 1; Certificate Limitations;
Issued: November 29, 1996; or
(2) Temporary Revision To PC-12 Pilot's Operating Handbook;
Pilatus Report No. 01973-001, dated November 20, 1996.
(b) Amending the AFM or POH, as required by this AD, may be
performed by the owner/operator holding at least a private pilot
certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR 43.7), and must be entered into the aircraft
records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with section
43.11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.11).
(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, FAA, 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.
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) The AFM or POH revisions referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., CH-6370 Stans, Switzerland.
Information related to this AD may be examined at the FAA, Central
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
(f) This amendment (39-10180) becomes effective on December 5,
1997.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 21, 1997.
Mary Ellen A. Schutt,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-28578 Filed 10-28-97; 8:45 am]
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