Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 23 / Thursday, February 3, 2022 / Proposed Rules 6087 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2022–0084; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2020–01312–A] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus 

Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a 

new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC– 

24 airplanes. This proposed AD was 

prompted by a failure of the dual 

ethernet communication channel on a 

dual-channel data concentration and 

processing unit, which triggered the 

opening of electronic circuit breakers 

that caused several unintended system 

activations. This proposed AD would 

require installing a software (SW) 

upgrade to the utility management 

system (UMS), as specified in a 

European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD, which is proposed for 

incorporation by reference (IBR). The 

FAA is proposing this AD to address the 

unsafe condition on these products. 

DATES: The FAA must receive comments 

on this proposed AD by March 21, 2022. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For material that is proposed for IBR 

in this AD, contact EASA, KonradAdenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, 

Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; 

email: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website: 

https://www.easa.europa.eu. For service 

information identified in this NPRM, 

contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer 

Support General Aviation, CH–6371 

Stans, Switzerland; phone: +41 848 24 

7 365; email: techsupport.ch@pilatusaircraft.com; website: https://

www.pilatus-aircraft.com. You may 

view this material 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. The EASA 

material is also available at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2022– 

0084. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0084; 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 

NPRM, the EASA AD, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for Docket Operations is 

listed above. 

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; email: doug.rudolph@

faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

The FAA invites you to send any 

written relevant data, views, or 

arguments about this proposal. Send 

your comments to an address listed 

under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0084; Project Identifier 

MCAI–2020–01312–A’’ at the beginning 

of your comments. The most helpful 

comments reference a specific portion of 

the proposal, explain the reason for any 

recommended change, and include 

supporting data. The FAA will consider 

all comments received by the closing 

date and may amend this proposal 

because of those comments. 

Except for Confidential Business 

Information (CBI) as described in the 

following paragraph, and other 

information as described in 14 CFR 

11.35, the FAA will post all comments 

received, without change, to https://

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. The 

agency will also post a report 

summarizing each substantive verbal 

contact received about this NPRM. 

Confidential Business Information 

CBI is commercial or financial 

information that is both customarily and 

actually treated as private by its owner. 

Under the Freedom of Information Act 

(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt 

from public disclosure. If your 

comments responsive to this NPRM 

contain commercial or financial 

information that is customarily treated 

as private, that you actually treat as 

private, and that is relevant or 

responsive to this NPRM, it is important 

that you clearly designate the submitted 

comments as CBI. Please mark each 

page of your submission containing CBI 

as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such 

marked submissions as confidential 

under the FOIA, and they will not be 

placed in the public docket of this 

NPRM. Submissions containing CBI 

should be sent to Doug Rudolph, 

Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, General 

Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 

International Validation Branch, 901 

Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 

64106. Any commentary that the FAA 

receives that is not specifically 

designated as CBI will be placed in the 

public docket for this rulemaking. 

Background 

EASA, which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued EASA AD 2020–0200, 

dated September 21, 2020 (EASA AD 

2020–0200), to correct an unsafe 

condition on Pilatus Model PC–24 

airplanes, all serial numbers. 

EASA AD 2020–0200 was prompted 

by a report that, during climb, a Model 

PC–24 airplane experienced a dual 

ethernet communication channel failure 

on a dual-channel data concentration 

and processing unit. The failure 

triggered the opening of electronic 

circuit breakers, which led to 

degradation of environmental control 

system functionalities, the deployment 

of all passenger oxygen masks, and the 

autopilot entering into emergency 

descent mode. According to EASA, 

various crew alerting system messages 

were displayed and the functionality of 

other systems (such as flaps, fuel 

indication, and the ice protection 

system) was significantly degraded. 

The FAA is proposing this AD to 

address the failure of the dual ethernet 

communication channel on a dualchannel data concentration and 

processing unit. The unsafe condition, if 

not addressed, could result in an 

increased pilot workload and reduced 

control of the airplane. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2020– 

0200, which specifies upgrading the 

UMS SW and prohibits installing an 

earlier version of the SW. This material 

is reasonably available because the 

interested parties have access to it 

through their normal course of business 


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6088 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 23 / Thursday, February 3, 2022 / Proposed Rules 

or by the means identified in 

ADDRESSES. 

Other Related Service Information 

The FAA reviewed Pilatus PC–24 

Service Bulletin No. 42–010, dated 

January 21, 2020. This service 

information contains procedures for 

upgrading the UMS SW to Build 7.3. 

FAA’s Determination 

These airplanes have been approved 

by EASA and are approved for operation 

in the United States. Pursuant to the 

FAA’s bilateral agreement with the 

European Union, EASA has notified the 

FAA about the unsafe condition 

described in the EASA AD. The FAA is 

issuing this NPRM after determining 

that the unsafe condition described 

previously is likely to exist or develop 

on other products of the same type 

design. 

Proposed AD Requirements in This 

NPRM 

This proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

EASA AD 2020–0200, described 

previously, as incorporated by 

reference, except as discussed under 

‘‘Differences Between this Proposed AD 

and the EASA AD.’’ 

Explanation of Required Compliance 

Information 

In the FAA’s ongoing efforts to 

improve the efficiency of the AD 

process, the FAA initially worked with 

Airbus and EASA to develop a process 

to use some EASA ADs as the primary 

source of information for compliance 

with requirements for corresponding 

FAA ADs. The FAA has since 

coordinated with other manufacturers 

and civil aviation authorities to use this 

process. As a result, the FAA proposes 

to incorporate EASA AD 2020–0200 by 

reference in the FAA final rule. This 

proposed AD would require compliance 

with portions of EASA AD 2020–0200, 

except for any differences identified in 

the regulatory text of this proposed AD. 

Service information required by EASA 

AD 2020–0200 for compliance will be 

available at https://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0084 after the FAA final 

rule is published. 

Differences Between This Proposed AD 

and the EASA AD 

Where EASA AD 2020–0200 requires 

compliance after its effective date, this 

proposed AD would require using the 

effective date of this AD. Where EASA 

AD 2020–0200 prohibits the installation 

of an affected part ‘‘from the effective 

date’’ of EASA AD 2020–0200, this 

proposed AD would require using ‘‘as of 

the effective date of this AD.’’ Although 

the service information referenced in 

EASA AD 2020–0200 specifies reporting 

information to the manufacturer, this 

proposed AD would not include that 

requirement. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD, if 

adopted as proposed, would affect 42 

airplanes of U.S. Registry. 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to comply with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

airplane 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Install SW upgrade to UMS ............................ 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 ............. $5,000 $5,680 $238,560 

The FAA has included all known 

costs in its cost estimate. According to 

the manufacturer, however, some of the 

costs of this proposed 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 

The FAA determined that this 

proposed AD would not have federalism 

implications under Executive Order 

13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed regulation: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866, 

(2) Would not affect intrastate 

aviation in Alaska, and 

(3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA proposes to amend 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 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive: 

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. FAA–2022– 

0084; Project Identifier MCAI–2020– 

01312–A 

(a) Comments Due Date 

The FAA must receive comments on this 

airworthiness directive (AD) by March 21, 

2022. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. 

Model PC–24 airplanes, all serial numbers, 

certificated in any category. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 2200, Auto Flight System; 2400, 

Electrical Power System; 3140, Central 


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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 23 / Thursday, February 3, 2022 / Proposed Rules 6089 

Computers (EICAS); 3500, Oxygen System; 

and 4500, Central Maint, Computer. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a failure of the 

dual ethernet communication channel on a 

dual-channel data concentration and 

processing unit, which triggered the opening 

of electronic circuit breakers that caused 

several unintended system activations. The 

FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of 

the dual ethernet communication channel on 

a dual-channel data concentration and 

processing unit. The unsafe condition, if not 

addressed, could result in increased pilot 

workload and reduced control of the 

airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Required Actions 

(1) For Group 1 airplanes as defined under 

the ‘‘Definitions’’ section in European Union 

Aviation Safety Agency AD 2020–0200, dated 

September 21, 2020 (EASA AD 2020–0200): 

Install the build 7.3 standard software 

upgrade to the utility management system 

software in accordance with paragraph 1 and 

the ‘‘Ref. Publications’’ section of EASA AD 

2020–0200, except you are required to 

comply within 30 days after the effective date 

of this AD. After updating the software, do 

not install on that airplane utility 

management system software that is earlier 

than version 7.3. 

(2) For Group 2 airplanes as defined under 

the ‘‘Definitions’’ section in EASA AD 2020– 

0200: As of the effective date of this AD, do 

not install utility management system 

software that is earlier than version 7.3 on 

any airplane. 

(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 International Validation 

Branch, send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (i)(2) 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 EASA AD 

2020–0200, contact EASA, KonradAdenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 

phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: ADs@

easa.europa.eu. You may view this material 

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 (816) 329–4148. This material may be 

found in the AD docket at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for and 

locating Docket No. FAA–2022–0084. 

(2) For more information about this AD, 

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; email: 

doug.rudolph@faa.gov. 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, 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. 

You may view this material 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. 

Issued on January 27, 2022. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–02130 Filed 2–2–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2022–0222; Project 

Identifier AD–2020–01264–A] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Piper 

Aircraft, Inc., Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a 

new airworthiness directive (AD) for 

certain Piper Aircraft, Inc., (Piper) 

Model PA–34–200 airplanes. This 

proposed AD was prompted by the 

determination that the life limit for 

alternate bolts that attach the drag link 

to the nose gear were not listed as 

airworthiness limitations. This 

proposed AD would require establishing 

a life limit for these bolts. The FAA is 

proposing this AD to address the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

DATES: The FAA must receive comments 

on this proposed AD by March 21, 2022. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this NPRM, contact Piper Aircraft, Inc., 

2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32960; 

phone: (772) 299–2141; website: https:// 

www.piper.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–2022–0222; 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 

NPRM, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

Docket Operations is listed above. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John 

Marshall, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 

Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 

30337; phone: (404) 474–5524; email: 

john.r.marshall@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

The FAA invites you to send any 

written relevant data, views, or 

arguments about this proposal. Send 

your comments to an address listed 

under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0222; Project Identifier AD– 

2020–01264–A’’ at the beginning of your 

comments. The most helpful comments 

reference a specific portion of the 

proposal, explain the reason for any 

recommended change, and include 

supporting data. The FAA will consider 

all comments received by the closing 

date and may amend this proposal 

because of those comments. 

Except for Confidential Business 

Information (CBI) as described in the 

following paragraph, and other 

information as described in 14 CFR 

11.35, the FAA will post all comments 

received, without change, to https://

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. The 

agency will also post a report 

summarizing each substantive verbal 

contact received about this NPRM. 

Confidential Business Information 

CBI is commercial or financial 

information that is both customarily and 


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