AD 2007-03-08 Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., PC-6 Series Airplanes

Makes named: pilatus. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Models PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, and PC-6/C1-H2 airplanes; manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 101 through 949, MSN 951, and MSN 2001 through 2092; that are certificated in any category. These airplanes are also identified as Fairchild Republic Company PC-6 airplanes, Fairchild Industries PC-6 airplanes, Fairchild Heli Porter PC-6 airplanes, or Fairchild-Hiller Corporation PC-6 airplanes. Reason (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states that exfoliation corrosion in the fittings of some PC-6 airplanes was found. These fittings are installed exterior to the bottom skin of the wing skin. If not corrected, undetected corrosion in this area could lead to failure of the fitting and subsequent loss of control of the airplane.

Unless already done, do the following actions. (1) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months, perform an inspection required by paragraph 3.B.(2) of PILATUS PC-6 Service Bulletin (SB) No. 57-003, dated June 13, 2006, of the fittings Part Number (P/N) 6102.0041.00, P/N 111.35.06.055 or P/N 111.35.06.056 for signs of corrosion. Repair of minor surface corrosion is permitted according to the Repair and Overhaul Manual (ROM) (Report No. 1391), Chap. 2 and 4. Corrosion outside these limits is not permitted. (2) If during any of the inspections required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, any minor surface corrosion is found, prior to further flight, remove the minor surface corrosion (Ref. ROM. Chap. 2 and 4). (3) If during any of the inspections required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, any corrosion out of limits is found (Ref. ROM, Chap. 2 and 4), prior to further flight, replace the fittings in accordance with paragraph 4 of PILATUS PC-6 SB No. 57-003, dated June 13, 2006, with new (retrofit) fittings P/N 111.35.06.185 and/or P/N 111.35.06.186. (4) Replacement of the fittings with new (improved) fittings P/N 111.35.06.185 (left hand side) and/or 111.35.06.186 (right hand side) terminates the repetitive inspection for that side. FAA AD Differences Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: (1) The FAA AD is requiring repetitive inspections, not just a one-time inspection as required in the MCAI. (2) The Service Bulletin specifies “subsequent inspections for corrosion will be included in Chapter 5 of the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM).” The only way we (FAA) can mandate these repetitive inspections is through an AD. Other FAA AD Provisions (f) 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; fax: (816) 329-4090, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et.seq. ), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Related Information (g) Refer to FOCA AD HB-2006-400, effective date September 28, 2006, which references Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. SB No. 57-003, dated June 13, 2006, for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (h) You must use PILATUS PC-6 Service Bulletin (SB) No. 57-003, dated June 13, 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 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 63 19; fax: +41 41 619 6224. (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 January 24, 2007. Kim Smith, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E7-1494 Filed 1-31-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Unless already done, do the following actions. (1) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months, perform an inspection required by paragraph 3.B.(2) of PILATUS PC-6 Service Bulletin (SB) No. 57-003, dated June 13, 2006, of the fittings Part Number (P/N) 6102.0041.00, P/N 111.35.06.055 or P/N 111.35.06.056 for signs of corrosion. Repair of minor surface corrosion is permitted according to the Repair and Overhaul Manual (ROM) (Report No. 1391), Chap. 2 and 4. Corrosion outside these limits is not permitted. (2) If during any of the inspections required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, any minor surface corrosion is found, prior to further flight, remove the minor surface corrosion (Ref. ROM. Chap. 2 and 4). (3) If during any of the inspections required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, any corrosion out of limits is found (Ref. ROM, Chap. 2 and 4), prior to further flight, replace the fittings in accordance with paragraph 4 of PILATUS PC-6 SB No. 57-003, dated June 13, 2006, with new (retrofit) fittings P/N 111.35.06.185 and/or P/N 111.35.06.186. (4) Replacement of the fittings with new (improved) fittings P/N 111.35.06.185 (left hand side) and/or 111.35.06.186 (right hand side) terminates the repetitive inspection for that side. FAA AD Differences Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: (1) The FAA AD is requiring repetitive inspections, not just a one-time inspection as required in the MCAI. (2) The Service Bulletin specifies “subsequent inspections for corrosion will be included in Chapter 5 of the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM).” The only way we (FAA) can mandate these repetitive inspections is through an AD. Other FAA AD Provisions (f) 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; fax: (816) 329-4090, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et.seq. ), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Related Information (g) Refer to FOCA AD HB-2006-400, effective date September 28, 2006, which references Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. SB No. 57-003, dated June 13, 2006, for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (h) You must use PILATUS PC-6 Service Bulletin (SB) No. 57-003, dated June 13, 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 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; telephone: +41 41 619 63 19; fax: +41 41 619 6224. (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 January 24, 2007. Kim Smith, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E7-1494 Filed 1-31-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P