[Federal Register: June 22, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 120)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 35783-35785]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22jn06-5]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-24091; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-17-AD;
Amendment 39-14665; AD 2006-13-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-6, PC-
6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1,
PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2,
and PC-6/C1-H2 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
supersedes AD 98-12-01, which applies to certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd
(Pilatus) Models PC-6, PC-6/A, PC-6/B, and PC-6/C series airplanes
equipped with turbo-prop engines. Since we issued AD 98-12-01, the FAA
determined the action should also apply to all the models of the PC-6
airplanes listed in the type certificate data sheet of Type Certificate
(TC) No. 7A15 that were produced in the United States through a
licensing agreement between Pilatus and Fairchild Republic Company
(also identified as Fairchild Industries, Fairchild Heli Porter, or
Fairchild-Hiller Corporation). In addition, the intent of the
applicability of AD 98-12-01 was to apply to all the affected serial
numbers of the airplane models listed in TC No. 7A15. This AD retains
all the actions of AD 98-12-01, adds those Fairchild Republic Company
airplanes to the applicability of this AD, and lists the individual
specific airplane models. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine fuel
starvation during maximum climb and descent caused by poor fuel tank
venting with low fuel levels, which could result in a loss of engine
power during critical phases of flight.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on August 7, 2006.
As of July 13, 1998 (63 FR 30370, June 4, 1998), the Director of
the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation by reference
of Pilatus Service Bulletin No. PC-6-SB-171, dated October 18, 1995, in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
ADDRESSES: To get the service information identified in this AD,
contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans,
Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 63 19; facsimile: +41 41 619 6224.
To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Nassif
Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2006-24091; Directorate
Identifier 2006-CE-17-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On April 17, 2006, we issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that
would apply to all the models of the PC-6 airplanes listed in the type
certificate data sheet of TC No. 7A15 that are produced in the United
States through a licensing agreement between Pilatus and Fairchild
Republic Company (also identified as Fairchild Industries, Fairchild
Heli Porter, or Fairchild-Hiller Corporation) airplanes. This proposal
was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) on April 21, 2006 (71 FR 20595). The NPRM proposed to
supersede AD 98-12-01, Amendment 39-10558 (63 FR 30370, June 4, 1998),
add those Fairchild Republic Company airplanes to the applicability of
this proposed AD, and list the individual specific airplane models. The
NPRM proposed to retain all the actions of AD 2002-21-08 for modifying
the fuel system.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing
[[Page 35784]]
this AD. We received one comment in favor of the proposed AD.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed
except for minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these
minor corrections:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 43 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to do the modification of the fuel
system to improve venting between the collector tank, the main wing
tanks, and the engine:
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Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost airplane Total cost on U.S. operators
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10 work-hours x $80 per hour = $800. $614 $1,414 $1,414 x 43 = $60,802.
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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 AD.
Regulatory Findings
We have 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 that 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); 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD (and
other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) and placed
it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by sending a
request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket
No. FAA-2006-24091; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-17-AD'' in your
request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under 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
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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-
12-01, Amendment 39-10558 (63 FR 30370, June 4, 1998), and by adding
the following new AD:
2006-13-12 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-14665; Docket No.
FAA-2006-24091; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-17-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective on August 7, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 98-12-01, Amendment 39-10558.
Applicability
(c) This AD affects the following Models: PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-
H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-
H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, and
PC-6/C1-H2 airplanes that are equipped with turbo-prop engines and
certificated in any category:
(1) Group 1 (maintains the actions from AD 98-12-01): All
manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) up to and including 915.
(2) Group 2: MSN 2001 through 2092.
Note: These airplanes are also identified as Fairchild Republic
Company PC-6 airplanes, Fairchild Heli Porter PC-6 airplanes, or
Fairchild-Hiller Corporation PC-6 airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for
Switzerland that requires the actions of AD 98-12-01 for the added
MSN 2001 through 2092 for all the models of the PC-6 airplanes
listed in the type certificate data sheet of Type Certificate (TC)
No. 7A15. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine fuel starvation
during maximum climb and descent caused by poor fuel tank venting
with low fuel levels, which could result in a loss of engine power
during critical phases of flight.
Compliance
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Modify the fuel system (i) For Group 1 Follow Pilatus PC-6
to improve the venting Airplanes: Within Service Bulletin
between the collector tank, the next 3 calendar No. PC-6-SB-171,
the main wing tanks, and months after July dated October 18,
the engine. 13, 1998 (the 1995.
effective date of
AD 98-12-01),
unless already done.
(ii) For Group 2
Airplanes: Within
the next 3 calendar
months after August
7, 2006 (the
effective date of
this AD, unless
already done.
(2) Do not install any For all airplanes: Follow Pilatus PC-6
collector tank or fuel vent As of August 7, Service Bulletin
system unless the 2006 (the effective No. PC-6-SB-171,
modification requirements date of this AD). dated October 18,
of paragraph (e)(1) are 1995.
done.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(f) The Manager, Standards Office, ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile:
(816) 329-4090, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(g) AMOCs approved for AD 98-12-01 are approved for this AD.
Related Information
(h) Swiss AD Number HB 2005-289, effective date August 23, 2005,
also addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must do the actions required by this AD following the
instructions in Pilatus PC-6 Service Bulletin No. PC-6-SB-171, dated
October 18, 1995.
(1) As of July 13, 1998 (63 FR 30370, June 4, 1998), the
Director of the Federal Register previously approved the
incorporation by reference of Pilatus Service Bulletin No. PC-6-SB-
171, dated October 18, 1995, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and
1 CFR part 51.
(2) To get a copy of this service information, contact Pilatus
Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland;
telephone: +41 41 619 63 19; facsimile: +41 41 619 6224. To review
copies of this service information, go to the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, go to: http://www.archives.gov/ federal--
register/ code--of--federal--regulations/ ibr--locations.html or
call (202) 741-6030. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001
or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-
2006-24091; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-17-AD.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 14, 2006.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-5583 Filed 6-21-06; 8:45 am]
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