Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 213 (Tuesday, November 3, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69492-69493]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24279]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0744; Project Identifier 2019-CE-056-AD; Amendment 
39-21285; AD 2020-21-12]
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 Model PC-24 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and 
correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes 
the unsafe condition as the vinyl grommets on the upper panel assembly 
on the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) emergency exits becoming 
rigid after exposure to low temperatures, which could result in failure 
of the emergency exits to open during an evacuation. This AD requires 
replacing the grommets. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 8, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 8, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Technical Support (MCC), P.O. 
Box 992, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; telephone: +41 (0)41 619 67 74; 
fax: +41 (0)41 619 67 73; email: aircraft.com">Techsupport@pilatus-aircraft.com; 
internet: https://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/en. 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 816-
329-4148. It is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0744.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0744 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, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch, 
901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 
329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd 
Model PC-24 airplanes with an emergency exit grommet part number (P/N) 
944.87.32.001 installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
August 7, 2020 (85 FR 47919). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe 
condition of the specified products and was based on MCAI originated by 
the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA 
issued AD No. 2019-0293, dated December 4, 2019 (referred to after this 
as ``the MCAI''), which states:

    After exposure to low temperatures, the vinyl grommets which 
hold the upper panel assembly in position on the left-hand and 
right-hand emergency exits were found to become rigid.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the 
emergency exits to open during an evacuation, possibly resulting in 
injury to occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus issued the 
[service bulletin] SB to provide modification instructions.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
replacement of affected parts with serviceable parts, as defined in 
this AD, and prohibits (re-)installation of affected parts.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0744.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Pilatus PC-24 Service Bulletin No. 25-005, dated 
August 12, 2019. The service information contains procedures for 
replacing the grommets that are used to hold the upper panel assembly 
in position on the LH and RH emergency exits with different part-
numbered grommets. 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 affects 39 products of U.S. 
registry. The FAA also estimates that it will take 1.0 work-hour per 
product to comply with the requirements of this AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $30 per 
product.
    Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of the AD on 
U.S. operators to be $4,485, or $115 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all costs in this cost 
estimate.

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

[[Page 69493]]

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.

Adoption of 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 (AD):

2020-21-12 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd: Amendment 39-21285; Docket No. FAA-
2020-0744; Project Identifier 2019-CE-056-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 8, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-24 airplanes, 
all serial numbers, with an emergency exit grommet part number (P/N) 
944.87.32.001 installed, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 52: Doors.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that after exposure to low 
temperatures, the vinyl grommets that hold the upper panel assembly 
in position on the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) emergency 
exits can become rigid. This unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in failure of the emergency exits to open during an 
evacuation.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) and (2) of this AD.
    (1) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
each grommet P/N 944.87.32.001 holding the upper panel assembly in 
position on the LH and RH emergency exits with grommet P/N 
525.26.24.035 in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
section 3.B., of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd PC-24 Service Bulletin No. 25-
005, dated August 12, 2019.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a 
grommet P/N 944.87.32.001 on any airplane.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    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. Send information to ATTN: Doug 
Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft 
Section, International Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 
329-4090; email: [email protected]. Before using any approved 
AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your 
appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards 
District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. 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.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2019-0293, dated December 4, 2019, for more information. You may 
examine the EASA AD in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2020-0744.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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. 25-005, dated August 12, 
2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Pilatus Aircraft Ltd service information identified in 
this AD, contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Technical Support 
(MCC), P.O. Box 992, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; telephone: +41 
(0)41 619 67 74; fax: +41 (0)41 619 67 73; email: 
aircraft.com">Techsupport@pilatus-aircraft.com; internet: https://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/en.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 
Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
    (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 October 5, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-24279 Filed 11-2-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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