Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 226 (Monday, November 23, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 74601-74603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-25701]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0753; Project Identifier 2019-CE-033-AD; Amendment 
39-21331; AD 2020-24-01]
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 results 
from 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 identifies the unsafe 
condition as overheating of the electrical wiring splices close to the 
right-hand pitot-static connector on frame 10. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 28, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 28, 
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, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 
329-4148. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0753.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0753; 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, any 
comments received, and other information. The address for

[[Page 74602]]

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, Missouri 64106; 
telephone: (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 Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-24 airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on September 2, 2020 (85 FR 54515). The NPRM was 
prompted by 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. 2019-0166, dated July 15, 2019 
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-24 airplanes. The MCAI 
states:

    During maintenance it was found that affected parts located 
close to the right-hand pitot/static connector on frame 10 showed 
signs of overheating.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to an uncontrolled 
fire in the cockpit area, or loss of probe heating and de-icing 
function, possibly resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane.
    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, and prohibits 
(re)installation of affected parts.

    The MCAI identifies the ``affected part'' as electrical wiring 
splice part number (P/N) 971.31.32.561 and a ``serviceable part'' as 
electrical wiring splice P/N 971.31.32.641. EASA identified the root 
cause of the overheating as internal corrosion of the affected splices, 
which are not immersion-resistant, due to moisture ingress. The 
serviceable splices are immersion-resistant. You may examine the MCAI 
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0753.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed in the NPRM. Accordingly, the FAA 
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. has issued Pilatus PC-24 Service Bulletin No. 
30-002, dated April 3, 2019. The service information contains 
procedures for replacing certain electrical splices and wire for the 
pitot and static probes. 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 proposed AD will affect 16 products of 
U.S. registry. The FAA also estimates that it would take 6 work-hours 
per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. 
The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost 
about $65 per product.
    Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $9,200, or $575 per product.
    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 that 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:

2020-24-01 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-21331; Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0753; Project Identifier 2019-CE-033-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 28, 
2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to Pilatus Aircraft 
Ltd. Model PC-24 airplanes, serial numbers 101 through 125 
inclusive, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 30: Ice and Rain 
Protection.

[[Page 74603]]

(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 overheating of 
the electrical wiring splices close to the right-hand pitot-static 
connector on frame 10. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent 
overheating of the pitot and static probe electrical splices, which 
could lead to loss of probe heating and de-icing function or an 
inflight fire.

(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, for the 
pitot and static probes de-ice wiring, replace wire H279A10 with 
wire H279A12 and replace each electrical wiring splice part number 
(P/N) 971.31.32.561 with electrical wiring splice P/N 971.31.32.641 
by following the Accomplishment Instructions--Aircraft, section 
3.B., of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC-24 Service Bulletin No. 30-002, 
dated April 3, 2019.
    (2) After completing the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD, do not install a pitot and static probes de-ice wire 
H279A10 or electrical wiring splice P/N 971.31.32.561 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 Doug Rudolph, 
Aviation Safety 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.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD No. 2019-
0166, dated July 15, 2019. You may examine the MCAI at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2020-0753.

(i) 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. 30-002, dated April 3, 
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 November 9, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-25701 Filed 11-20-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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