AD 2020-22-05

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-12/47E airplanes. This AD was 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 seizing of a main landing gear (MLG) spring pack assembly. This AD requires replacement of affected parts and prohibits (re)installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Final rule.

Adoption of the Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: \n\n2020-22-05 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-21301; Docket No. FAA-2020-0746; Project Identifier 2019-CE-012-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 7, 2020. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-12/47E airplanes, serial numbers 1300 and 1451 through 1944 (except serial number 1720), certificated in any category, with a main landing gear (MLG) spring pack assembly part number (P/N) 532.34.12.101 installed. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tAir Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing Gear. \n\n(e) Reason \n\n\n\tThis 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 \n\n((Page 69140)) \n\ndescribes the unsafe condition as seizing of an MLG spring pack assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the MLG spring pack assembly, which could result in the inability to extend the MLG with consequent loss of control of the airplane after landing. \n\n(f) Actions and Compliance \n\n\n\t(1) Within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, remove from service MLG spring pack assembly P/N 532.34.12.101 and install MLG spring pack assembly P/N 532.34.12.120 by following the Accomplishment Instructions-Part A-Aircraft, section 3.B., in Pilatus PC-12 Service Bulletin No. 32-027, dated January 7, 2019. \n\t(2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not installan MLG spring pack assembly P/N 532.34.12.101 on any airplane. \n\n(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\tThe Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: doug.rudolph@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI), or lacking a PI, your local Flight Standards District Office. \n\n(h) Related Information \n\n\n\tRefer to European Union Aviation Safety (EASA) Agency AD No. 2019-0032, dated February 15, 2019, for more information. You may examine the EASA AD in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA- 2020-0746. \n\n(i) MaterialIncorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(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. \n\t(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(i) Pilatus PC-12 Service Bulletin No. 32-027, dated January 7, 2019. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(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; telephone: +41 (0)41 619 67 74; fax: +41 (0)41 619 67 73; email: aircraft.com">Techsupport@pilatus-aircraft.com; internet: https://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/en. \n\t(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. \n\t(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, email: fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on October 14, 2020. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2020-24048 Filed 10-30-20; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Discussion \n\n\n\tThe FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR \n\n((Page 69139)) \n\npart 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain serial-numbered Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-12/47E airplanes with an MLG spring pack assembly part number (P/N) 532.34.12.101 installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 6, 2020 (85 FR 47712). The NPRM proposed to require removing MLG spring pack assembly P/N 532.34.12.101 from service and replacing it with MLG spring pack assembly P/N 532.34.12.120 and was based on MCAI originated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community. EASA issued AD No. 2019-0032, dated February 15, 2019 (referred to after this as ''the MCAI''), to correct the unsafe condition on these products. The MCAI states: \n\n\n\tAn occurrence was reported of an unlocked main landing gear (MLG) during landing of a PC-12/47E,equipped with electro- mechanical landing gear. Subsequent investigation identified that the aeroplane was equipped with an affected part (spring pack assemblies having P/N 532.34.12.101), which had completely seized. Serviceable parts (spring pack assemblies having P/N 532.34.12.120) have a special surface treatment on the inner and outer tube, which would have prevented the seizure. \n\tThis condition, if not corrected, could lead to failure of an MLG spring pack assembly, possibly resulting in inability to safely extend the MLG and consequent loss of control of the aeroplane after landing. \n\tTo address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus issued the (service bulletin) SB to provide inspection and modification instructions. \n\tFor the reason described above, this (EASA) AD requires replacement of affected parts with serviceable parts, and prohibits (re)installation of affected parts. \n\n\n\tForty-two airplanes were built that may have this version of the spring pack assembly installed. An improved spring pack assembly with a hard chrome plated inner tube was introduced in 2014. You may examine the MCAI on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0746. \n\nComments \n\n\n\tThe FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public. \n\nConclusion \n\n\n\tThe FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed. \n\nRelated Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 \n\n\n\tThe FAA reviewed Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC-12 Service Bulletin No. 32-027, dated January 7, 2019. The service information contains procedures for inspecting the MLG spring pack assembly to determine the part number, removing and discarding any affected spring pack assemblies, and installing the improved design spring pack assemblies. This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tThe FAA estimates that this AD will affect 29 products of U.S. registry. The FAA also estimates that it would take about 3 work-hours per product to comply with the replacement requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $5,000 per product. \n\tBased on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $152,395, or $5,255 per product. \n\tAccording to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all costs in this cost estimate. \n\nAuthority for This Rulemaking \n\n\n\tTitle 49 of the United States Code specifies theFAA'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. \n\tThe FAA is 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. \n\nRegulatory Findings \n\n\n\tThis 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. \n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD: \n\t(1) Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, \n\t(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and \n\t(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. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.