Discussion
What events have caused this AD? The Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA), which is the airworthiness authority for Switzerland, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all Pilatus Aircraft Limited (Pilatus) Models B4-PC11, B4-PC11A, and B4-PC11AF sailplanes. The FOCA reports nine occurrences of cracks in the support of the control-column (part number (P/N) 112.35.11.072).
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Cracks in the control-column support could result in failure and lead to loss of the primary flight control system.
Has FAA taken any action to this point? 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 Pilatus Aircraft Limited (Pilatus) Models B4-PC11, B4-PC11A, and B4-PC11AF sailplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 11, 2005 (70 FR 7217). The NPRM proposed to require you to repetitively inspect the control-column support for cracks and, if any cracks are found, replace the control-column support with a new support.
Comments
Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
What is FAA's final determination on this issue? 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.
Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD
How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD actions.
Costs of Compliance
How many sailplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD affects 32 sailplanes in the U.S. registry.
What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the affected sailplanes? We estimate the following costs to do the inspection of the control-column support:
Labor cost
Parts cost
Total cost per sailplane
Total cost on U.S. operators
1 work hour $65 per hour = $65
Not applicable
$65
32 $65 = $2,080
We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements that would be required based on the results of this inspection. We have no way of determining the number of sailplanes that may need this replacement of the control-column support:
Labor cost
Parts cost
Total cost per sailplane
5 work hours $65 per hour = $325
$250
$575
Authority for This Rulemaking
What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action? 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 forsafety 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
Will this AD impact various entities? 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.
Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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 substantialnumber 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-2004-20006; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-49-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
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
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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows: