DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0746; Project Identifier 2019-CE-012-AD; Amendment
39-21301; AD 2020-22-05]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: 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.

DATES: This AD is effective December 7, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 7,
2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
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. 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. It is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0746.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0746; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this final rule, the MCAI, any comments received, and other
information. The address for Docket Operations is 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 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:

An 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.
This 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.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus issued the
[service bulletin] SB to provide inspection and modification
instructions.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires
replacement of affected parts with serviceable parts, and prohibits
(re)installation of affected parts.

Forty-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.

Comments

The 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.

Conclusion

The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The 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.

Costs of Compliance

The 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.
Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of this AD on
U.S. operators to be $152,395, or $5,255 per product.
According 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.

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.
The 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.

Regulatory Findings

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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

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: