DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0532; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-016-AD;
Amendment 39-17994; AD 2014-21-02]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pacific Aerospace Limited Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Pacific
Aerospace Limited Model FU24-954 and FU24A-954 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 cracking of the control column at the wiring
access hole, which could lead to loss of control. We are issuing this
AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these
products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 28, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of November 28,
2014.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0532; 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 Pacific
Aerospace Limited, Airport Road, Hamilton Private Bag 3027 Hamilton
3240, New Zealand; telephone: +64 7 843 6144; fax: +64 7 843 6134;
email: pacific@aerospace.co.nz; Internet: http://www.aerospace.co.nz/.
You may view this referenced 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4123 ; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
karl.schletzbaum@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to add an AD that would apply to Pacific Aerospace Limited
Model FU24-954 and FU24A-954 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on August 5, 2014 (79 FR 45383). The NPRM proposed to
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products and was based on
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an
aviation authority of another country. The MCAI states:

This AD requires an inspection of the control column for
mechanical damage, deformation and cracks per the instructions in
Pacific Aerospace Limited (PAL) Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No.
PACSB/FU/095 issue 2 dated 28 May 2014. For control columns found
with mechanical damage or deformation the AD requires a 50 hour
repetitive NDT inspection until replacement. Control column
replacement is required at the next maintenance inspection, or
within the next 150 hours TIS, whichever is the later.

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-0532-0002.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 45383, August 5,
2014) 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 (79 FR 45383, August 5, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition;
and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 45383, August 5, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect 1 product of U.S. registry. We
also estimate that it would take about .5 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 on U.S.
operators to be $42.50, or $42.50 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 8 work-hours and require parts costing $1,000, for a cost of
$1,680 per product. We have no way of determining the number of
products that may need these actions.
According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.

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-2014-
0532; 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: