[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 14 (Friday, January 21, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3188-3190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-01160]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0218; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01519-A;
Amendment 39-21880; AD 2021-26-21]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-24 airplanes. This AD
was prompted by 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 insufficient performance of the fuel drain
system that could lead to fire and damage of the airplane. This AD
requires modifying the fuel drain pipe routing and installing a drain
mast. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: This AD is effective February 25, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 25,
2022.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., CH-6371, Stans, Switzerland; phone: +41
848 24 7 365; email: aircraft.com">techsupport.ch@pilatus-aircraft.com; website:
https://www.pilatus-aircraft.com. You may view this service information
at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch,
901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability
of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0218; 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, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International
Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; phone:
(816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
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 Model PC-24 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on October 8, 2021 (86 FR 56227). The NPRM was based on MCAI
from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency
[[Page 3189]]
(EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union. EASA issued AD 2020-0252, dated November 12, 2020
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI'') to address the unsafe
condition on these products. The MCAI states:
An occurrence was reported where an insufficient performance of
the fuel drain system was detected on certain PC-24 aeroplanes.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead, in case of a fuel
leak, to contamination of the inboard rear fuselage, creating a fuel
vapour which, in combination with an ignition source, could possibly
result in a fire and consequent damage to the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus Aircraft
issued the [service bulletin] SB providing instructions to modify
the fuel drain pipe routing and to install a drain mast.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires
modification of the fuel drain system.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require modifying the fuel drain
pipe routing and installing a drain mast. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0218.
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined
that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products. This AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Pilatus PC-24 Service Bulletin No. 28-003,
Revision 1, dated January 23, 2020. This service information specifies
procedures for modifying the fuel drain pipe routing and installing a
drain mast.
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 36 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA also estimates that it would take about 12 work-hours
per airplane to do the modification and installation of this AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost
about $1,950 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of this AD on
U.S. operators would be $106,920 or $2,970 per airplane.
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected operators.
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.
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
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2021-26-21 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-21880; Docket No.
FAA-2021-0218; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01519-A.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 25,
2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-24 airplanes,
serial numbers 101 through 184, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2830, Fuel Dump
System.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by 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 insufficient
performance of the fuel drain system that could lead to fire and
damage of the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent fuel
contamination of the inboard rear fuselage. If not addressed, this
unsafe condition, in combination with an ignition source, could
result in fire and loss of control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Within 5 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the
fuel drain pipe routing and install the drain mast by following
paragraphs A. and B. of the Accomplishment Instructions in Pilatus
PC-24 Service Bulletin No. 28-003, Revision 1, dated January 23,
2020.
[[Page 3190]]
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD
and email to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Doug Rudolph,
Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section,
FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation
Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; phone: (816)
329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: [email protected].
(2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2020-0252,
dated November 12, 2020, for related information. You may examine
the MCAI at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0218.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Pilatus PC-24 Service Bulletin No. 28-003, Revision 1, dated
January 23, 2020.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Support General Aviation, CH-6371
Stans, Switzerland; phone: +41 848 24 7 365; email:
aircraft.com">techsupport.ch@pilatus-aircraft.com; website: https://www.pilatus-
aircraft.com.
(4) You may review this referenced service information at the
FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901
Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability
of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued on December 16, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-01160 Filed 1-20-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P