AD 2006-16-13 Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 Airplanes

Makes named: pilatus. Models named: PC-12, PC-12/45. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes; manufacturer serial numbers 101 through 617 inclusive, certificated in any U.S. category. Reason (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states that the aircraft manufacturer has identified drill damage on some Frame 21 (FR21) lug fittings on the production line and during a number of midlife wing lug inspections. It is thought that the damage found on the FR21 lug fittings occurred during assembly of the airplane. Depending on the size and location of the possible damage, if not corrected, the fatigue life of the wing attachment lugs on FR21 may be affected. The MCAI requires a one-time inspection of the FR21 adjacent to the wing upper-attachment lugs, left and right, and a repair if necessary.

Unless already done, do the following except as stated in paragraph (f) below. (1) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after September 15, 2006 (the effective date of this AD), perform an inspection of FR21 in the area of the outer sidewall frame attachment lug forward and aft side faces, left and right, to determine if there is any damage that may have been made with a drill. Follow Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC12 Service Bulletin No. 53-004, dated February 10, 2006. (2) Within the next 100 hours TIS after September 18, 2006 (the effective date of this AD), perform an inspection of FR21 in the area of the top surface of the wing upper-attachment lugs, left and right, to determine if there is any damage that may have been made with a drill. Follow Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC12 Service Bulletin No. 53-004, dated February 10, 2006. (3) If during the inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD any damage less than 0.1 mm (0.0040 inch) on any FR21 is found, prior to further flight, repair the damaged FR21 in accordance with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC12 Service Bulletin No. 53-004, dated February 10, 2006. (4) If during the inspection required in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD any damage equal to or greater than 0.1 mm (0.0040 inch) on any FR21 is found, prior to further flight contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. for an FAA-approved repair solution and incorporate the repair. (5) If during the inspection required by paragraph (e)(2) of this AD any damage less than 1 mm (0.040 inch) depth on any FR21 wing attachment lug top surface is found, prior to further flight, repair the damaged FR21 in accordance with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC12 Service Bulletin No. 53-004, dated February 10, 2006. (6) If during the inspection required by paragraph (e)(2) of this AD any damage equal to or greater than 1 mm (0.040 inch) depth on any FR21 wing attachment lug top surface is found, prior to further flight contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. for an FAA-approved repair solution and incorporate the repair. FAA AD Differences (f) None. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri, 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: (816) 329-4090, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. (2) Return to Airworthiness: When complying with this AD, perform FAA-approved corrective actions before returning the product to an airworthy condition. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Related Information (h) This AD is related to Federal Office for Civil Aviation AD HB-2006-223, effective date April 20, 2006, which references Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC12 Service Bulletin No. 53-004, dated February 10, 2006. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC12 Service Bulletin No. 53-004, dated February 10, 2006, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact the Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Support Manager, CH-6371 STANS, Switzerland; telephone: 41 41 619 6208; facsimile: +41 41 619 7311; email: SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com. (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 4, 2006. John R. Colomy, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E6-13016 Filed 8-11-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Unless already done, do the following except as stated in paragraph (f) below. (1) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after September 15, 2006 (the effective date of this AD), perform an inspection of FR21 in the area of the outer sidewall frame attachment lug forward and aft side faces, left and right, to determine if there is any damage that may have been made with a drill. Follow Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC12 Service Bulletin No. 53-004, dated February 10, 2006. (2) Within the next 100 hours TIS after September 18, 2006 (the effective date of this AD), perform an inspection of FR21 in the area of the top surface of the wing upper-attachment lugs, left and right, to determine if there is any damage that may have been made with a drill. Follow Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC12 Service Bulletin No. 53-004, dated February 10, 2006. (3) If during the inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD any damage less than 0.1 mm (0.0040 inch) on any FR21 is found, prior to further flight, repair the damaged FR21 in accordance with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC12 Service Bulletin No. 53-004, dated February 10, 2006. (4) If during the inspection required in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD any damage equal to or greater than 0.1 mm (0.0040 inch) on any FR21 is found, prior to further flight contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. for an FAA-approved repair solution and incorporate the repair. (5) If during the inspection required by paragraph (e)(2) of this AD any damage less than 1 mm (0.040 inch) depth on any FR21 wing attachment lug top surface is found, prior to further flight, repair the damaged FR21 in accordance with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC12 Service Bulletin No. 53-004, dated February 10, 2006. (6) If during the inspection required by paragraph (e)(2) of this AD any damage equal to or greater than 1 mm (0.040 inch) depth on any FR21 wing attachment lug top surface is found, prior to further flight contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. for an FAA-approved repair solution and incorporate the repair. FAA AD Differences (f) None. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri, 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: (816) 329-4090, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. (2) Return to Airworthiness: When complying with this AD, perform FAA-approved corrective actions before returning the product to an airworthy condition. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Related Information (h) This AD is related to Federal Office for Civil Aviation AD HB-2006-223, effective date April 20, 2006, which references Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC12 Service Bulletin No. 53-004, dated February 10, 2006. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC12 Service Bulletin No. 53-004, dated February 10, 2006, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact the Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Support Manager, CH-6371 STANS, Switzerland; telephone: 41 41 619 6208; facsimile: +41 41 619 7311; email: SupportPC12@pilatus-aircraft.com. (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 4, 2006. John R. Colomy, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E6-13016 Filed 8-11-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P