AD 2010-17-09

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. 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:

Reports have been received indicating that, if the power control friction wheel is tightened, the reverse thrust latch may stick and subsequently allow the Power Control Lever (PCL) to be inadvertently retarded aft of the idle detent.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in undesired reverse thrust activation which, especially during approach, could result in reduced control of the aeroplane.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Final rule.

2010-17-09 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-16401; Docket No. FAA-2010-0583; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-028-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September 22, 2010.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Model PC-12/47E airplanes, manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 1001 and MSN 1003 through 1140, certificated in any category.

Subject

(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 76: Engine Controls.

Reason

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:
Reports have been received indicating that, if the power control friction wheel is tightened, the reverse thrust latch may stick and subsequently allow the Power Control Lever (PCL) to be inadvertently retarded aft of the idle detent.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in undesired reverse thrust activation which, especially during approach, could result in reduced control of the aeroplane.
For the reason described above, this AD requires an inspection of the PCL reverse thrust latch and the accomplishment of corrective actions as necessary.

Actions and Compliance

(f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
(1) Within 30 days after September 22, 2010 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the power control lever reverse thrust latch handle for free movement following the accomplishment instructions in paragraph 3.A. of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Service Bulletin No: 76- 002, dated October 15, 2009.
(2) If during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD you determine the reverse thrust latch sticks or the idle detent is not present, do the following actions:
(i) Before further flight, insert Temporary Revision No. 12 to PC-12/47E Pilot's Operating Handbook, dated October 15, 2009, into the normal procedures section of the aircraft flight manual (AFM).
(ii) Within 12 months after September 22, 2010 (the effective date of this AD), modify the engine control console assembly following the accomplishment instructions in paragraph 3.B. of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Service Bulletin No: 76-002, dated October 15, 2009.
(iii) Before further flight after the modification required by paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this AD, remove Temporary Revision No. 12 to PC-12/47E Pilot's Operating Handbook, dated October 15, 2009, from the AFM.
(3) If during the inspection specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD you determine the reverse thrust latch moves freely and the idle detent is present, no further action is required.

FAA AD Differences

Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

(g) 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. 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, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collectionrequirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2010-0093, dated May 20, 2010; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Service Bulletin No: 76-002, dated October 15, 2009; and Temporary Revision No. 12 to PC-12/47E Pilot's Operating Handbook, dated October 15, 2009, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i) You must use Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Service Bulletin No: 76- 002, dated October 15, 2009; and Temporary Revision No. 12 to PC-12/ 47E Pilot's Operating Handbook, dated October 15, 2009, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD., Customer Service Manager, CH-6371 STANS, Switzerland; telephone: +41 (0) 41619 62 08; fax: +41 (0) 41 619 73 11; Internet: http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com; e-mail: SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com.
(3) You may review copies of the service information incorporated by reference for this AD at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the Central Region, call (816) 329-3768.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information incorporated by reference for this AD 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ ibr_locations.html.

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 10, 2010 (75 FR 32863). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

Reports have been received indicating that, if the power control friction wheel is tightened, the reverse thrust latch may stick and subsequently allow the Power Control Lever (PCL) to be inadvertently retarded aft of the idle detent.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in undesired reverse thrust activation which, especially during approach, could result in reduced control of the aeroplane.
For the reason described above, this AD requires an inspection of the PCL reverse thrust latch and the accomplishment of corrective actions as necessary.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have required different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a Note within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect 80 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be $6,800 or $85 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would take about 9 work-hours and require parts costing $100, for a cost of $865 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products that may need these actions.

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 FAAwith 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 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http:// www.regulations. gov; 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

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]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD: