AD 2000-02-31

Effective March 27, 2000.

Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 63 19; facsimile: +41 41 610 33 51. This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-64-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Mr. Roman T. Gabrys, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4141; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Pilatus Models PC-12 and PC12/45 airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 23, 1999 (64 FR 65666). The NPRM proposed to require replacing the stick pusher capstan and the stick pusher servo with parts of improved design. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be required in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual, as specified in Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 22-003, dated June 24, 1999.

The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Switzerland.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

The FAA estimates that 69 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 workhours per airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Pilatus will provide parts free of charge until March 2000. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $33,120, or $480 per airplane.

These regulations 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. Therefore, the FAA has determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

Accordingly, pursuant to 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:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows: