Document ID: FAA-2021-0218-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes
Posted Date: 2022-01-21T05:00Z

[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">[email protected]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">[email protected]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