Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 23, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10736-10738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03494]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0885; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00997-A; 
Amendment 39-21424; AD 2021-04-03]
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 identifies 
the unsafe condition as improperly manufactured cockpit and cabin 
evaporator filters installed during production on some PC-24 airplanes. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 30, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 30, 
2021.

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">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, 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-2020-0885.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0885; 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 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, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International 
Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
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 Pilatus Model PC-24 
airplanes with certain part-numbered evaporator filter assemblies 
installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 23, 
2020 (85 FR 74627). 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 has issued EASA 
AD No. 2020-0160, dated July 16, 2020 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on Pilatus Model PC-24 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    An occurrence was reported where, during production, cockpit and 
cabin evaporator filters were installed on some PC-24 aeroplanes, 
which were not the proper parts for the affected configuration.
    This condition, if not corrected, could degrade the fire 
retardant properties of the filters, possibly resulting in an 
increase in smoke in the cockpit/cabin in case of electrical heater 
over-temperature.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus issued the 
[service bulletin] SB to provide replacement instructions.
    For the reason described above, this AD requires replacement of 
affected parts with serviceable parts, as defined in this [EASA] AD, 
and prohibits (re) installation of affected parts.

    Due to a quality escape, the fire retardant used in the original 
filters installed in production is not sufficient for the conditions in 
this configuration, which is close to the heater and blowers.
    The MCAI can be found in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0885.

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. 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. 21-006, dated 
April 3, 2020. This service information specifies procedures replace 
the cockpit and cabin evaporator filters with new filters contained in 
a modification kit. 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 ADDRESSES.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    This AD applies to airplanes with a defective filter installed, 
whereas the EASA AD applies to airplanes that do not have the 
modification kit, which was installed in production. This AD identifies 
the individual part numbers (P/Ns) of the defective filters to address 
any airplanes that may have had a modification kit filter replaced with 
a defective filter in the field before this AD becomes effective. This 
AD also applies to airplanes with a filter where the P/N is unknown. 
Pilatus advises that the defective filters can only be identified by 
their packing documents,

[[Page 10737]]

as they do not have a permanent P/N marked on the actual part. The new 
filters in the modification kit do have a permanent marking on the 
frame of the actual part.

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 2.5 work-hours per 
product to comply with the requirements of this AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $575 per 
product, if all 4 filters would need to be replaced.
    Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators to be $28,350, or $787.50 per product.
    The FAA has included all costs in this 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:

2021-04-03 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-21424; Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0885; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00997-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 30, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-24 airplanes, 
all serial numbers, certificated in any category, with any of the 
following evaporator filter assemblies installed, or if the part 
number (P/N) of the evaporator filter assembly is unknown:
    (1) Cockpit filter assembly P/N 959.90.20.291 (PC24EC-6068-1);
    (2) Cabin front filter assembly P/N 959.90.20.290 (PC24EC-6287-
1);
    (3) Cabin bottom filter assembly P/N 959.90.20.288 (PC24EC-6288-
1); or
    (4) Cabin top filter assembly P/N 959.90.20.289 (PC24EC-6297-1).

    Note 1 to paragraph (c):  The P/N in parenthesis is an 
alternative vendor P/N.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2100, AIR 
CONDITIONING SYSTEM.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a reported occurrence where, during 
production, cockpit and cabin evaporator filters produced with 
degraded fire retardant properties were installed on some Model PC-
24 airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect improper cockpit 
and cabin evaporator filters installed on Model PC-24 airplanes. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in filters with 
degraded fire retardant properties, resulting in smoke in the 
cockpit and cabin in the event of electrical heater over-
temperature.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    (1) Within 4 months after the effective date of this AD, unless 
already done, remove each filter assembly from service and replace 
with a filter assembly as specified in table 1 to paragraph (f)(1) 
of this AD by following the Accomplishment Instructions, sections 
3A. through 3C., of Pilatus PC-24 Service Bulletin No. 21-006, dated 
April 3, 2020.

        Table 1 to Paragraph (f)(1)--Evaporator Filter Assemblies
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Replace with filter
            Item                Remove filter P/N            P/N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cockpit filter assembly.....  P/N 959.90.20.291 or  P/N 959.90.20.303 or
                               PC24EC-6068-1.        PC24EC-6068-5.
Cabin front filter assembly.  P/N 959.90.20.290 or  P/N 959.90.20.304 or
                               PC24EC-6287-1.        PC24EC-6287-5.
Cabin bottom filter assembly  P/N 959.90.20.288 or  P/N 959.90.20.305 or
                               PC24EC-6288-1.        PC24EC-6288-5.
Cabin top filter assembly...  P/N 959.90.20.289 or  P/N 959.90.20.306 or
                               PC24EC-6297-1.        PC24EC-6297-5.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an 
evaporator filter assembly with a P/N listed in paragraph (c) of 
this AD on any airplane.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 
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; phone: 
(816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: [email protected]. 
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. 
2020-0160, dated

[[Page 10738]]

July 16, 2020, for more information. You may examine the EASA AD at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0885.

(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. 21-006, dated April 3, 
2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. service information identified in 
this AD, contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; 
phone: +41 848 24 7 365; email: aircraft.com">techsupport.ch@pilatus-aircraft.com; 
website: https://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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 February 1, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-03494 Filed 2-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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