80 FR 19881 - Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 71 (April 14, 2015)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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 air conditioning 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 require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 14, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19881-19883]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07858]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0132; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-038-AD; 
Amendment 39-18132; AD 2015-07-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for PILATUS 
Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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 air conditioning 
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 require actions to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 19, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of May 19, 2015.

ADDRESSES: 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 Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    For service information identified in 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">[email protected]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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0132.

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:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to adding an AD that would apply to PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. Model 
PC-7 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
January 29, 2015 (80 FR 4810). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products and was based on mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)

[[Page 19882]]

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.

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-1002-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 4810, January 29, 
2015) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (80 FR 4810, January 29, 2015) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 4810, January 29, 2015).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. PILATUS PC-7 Service Bulletin No: 
21-012, dated November 4, 2014. The service information describes 
actions for installation of a cover assembly (between the compressor 
clutch plate and the oil hose) to protect the oil hose. This 
information is reasonably available at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0132, or see ADDRESSES 
for other ways to access this service information.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this 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 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 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 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 AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 AD:
    (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.

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 the NPRM, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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:

2015-07-04 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-18132; Docket No. 
FAA-2015-0132; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-038-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 19, 
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 makes 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 air conditioning 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 May 19, 2015 
(the effective date of this AD), install a cover assembly on the 
attachment points of the compressor following the Accomplishment 
Instructions

[[Page 19883]]

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. The MCAI can 
be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-1002-0002.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Pilatus PC-7 Service Bulletin No: 21-
012, dated November 4, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. service information identified in 
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">[email protected]aircraft.com; Internet: http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com.
    (4) 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. In addition, you can access this service information 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0132.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 31, 2015.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-07858 Filed 4-13-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P