DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0385; Product Identifier 2018-CE-019-AD; Amendment
39-19554; AD 2019-03-02]
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 750XL 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 an incorrect size bolt may have been used to assemble the
elevator bellcrank pivot joint. We are issuing this AD to require
actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 28, 2019.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of March 28,
2019.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.
regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0385; or in person at Docket Operations, 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; phone: +64 7843 6144; fax: +64 843 6134; email:
pacific@aerospace.co.nz; internet: www.aerospace.co.nz. You may view
this referenced service information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation
Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It
is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by
searching for Docket No. FAA-2018-0385.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Standards Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
mike.kiesov@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Pacific Aerospace Limited
Model 750XL airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register
on May 11, 2018 (83 FR 21951). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe
condition for the specified products and was based on mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by the Civil
Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the aviation authority of New
Zealand. The MCAI states:

It is possible that the elevator bellcrank pivot joint could be
assembled with a bolt P/N AN4-20 that is a little too short, leaving
threads inside the working area of the section of the joint.

The MCAI requires inspecting the elevator bellcrank pivot joint to
determine the length of the bolt installed to determine if it is the
proper size and taking all necessary corrective actions. The MCAI can
be found in the AD docket on the internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/
document?D=FAA-2018-03850-002.
Incorrectly sized bolts that are too short can cause damage from
the threads of the bolt on the internal bore of the cross tube hinge
plate, which could result in reduced control.

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 relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for
minor editorial changes and changes to clarify the incorporation by
reference of the service information. We have determined that these
minor changes:
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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed Pacific Aerospace Limited Service Bulletin PACSB/XL/
097, Issue 1, dated March 12, 2018. The service information describes
procedures for inspecting the elevator bellcrank pivot joint to
determine if the correct bolt size is installed. If an incorrect size
bolt is found, the service bulletin describes procedures for inspecting
the cross tube to confirm structural integrity, taking necessary
corrective actions, and replacing the incorrect size bolt with a
correct sized bolt. 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.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect 22 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours 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 $3,740, or $170 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 8 work-hours and require parts costing $125, for a cost of
$805 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.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes, gliders,
balloons, airships, domestic business jet transport airplanes, and
associated appliances to the Director of the Policy and Innovation
Division.

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-2018-0385;
or in person at Docket Operations 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 Docket Operations (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 airworthiness
directive (AD):