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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

# AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

# ACTION:

Final rule.

# 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:                         *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:                         *doug.rudolph@faa.gov.*

# 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                           ( print 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

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

Authority:49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13 

2. The FAA amends § 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.                                  ( print 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:                             *9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov.*

(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:                             *doug.rudolph@faa.gov.*

                            (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:                             *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:                             *fr.inspection@nara.gov,*                             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