Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 64 (Monday, April 4, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19378-19381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06975]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0999; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00036-A; 
Amendment 39-21991; AD 2022-07-04]
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-12/47E 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 inward vent valves installed 
during production without chromate conversion coating on the bonding 
surface. This AD requires modifying the inward vent valves and 
prohibits installing unmodified inward vent valves. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 9, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of May 9, 2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., CH-6371, Stans, Switzerland; phone: +41 
848 247 365; email: aircraft.com">techsupport.ch@pilatus-aircraft.com; website: 
https://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/. You may

[[Page 19379]]

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. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0999.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0999; 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; 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-12/47E airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on November 12, 2021 (86 FR 62746). The NPRM was prompted by 
MCAI from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is 
the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA 
issued AD 2021-0010, dated January 11, 2021 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for Pilatus Model PC-12/
47E airplanes with serial number 1720 and serial number 2001 and 
higher. The MCAI states:

    An occurrence was reported where, on the production line, a 
batch of inward vent valves without a chromate conversion coating on 
the bonding surface were installed on some PC-12/47E aeroplanes. 
Such inward vent valves are not in compliance with the latest 
approved design data.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to corrosion, 
consequent degradation of the electrical bonding to Rib 16, and in 
case of lightning strike, to arcing between the ungrounded equipment 
and the primary structure, possibly resulting in a fire and reduced 
control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus issued the 
SB [Service Bulletin] to provide modification instructions.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
modification of each affected part, as defined in this AD. This 
[EASA] AD also prohibits (re-) installation of affected parts.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0999.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require modifying the inward vent 
valves and proposed to prohibit installing unmodified inward vent 
valves. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from Pilatus and PlaneSense Inc. 
(PlaneSense). The following presents the comments received on the NPRM 
and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Correct Service Bulletin References

    Pilatus and PlaneSense requested that the FAA correct an error in 
the service bulletin (SB) references in paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of 
the proposed AD. Pilatus stated these paragraphs read ``Pilatus SB 20-
015'' when they should read ``Pilatus SB 28-015.''
    The FAA agrees and has corrected the service bulletin references.

Request To Revise the Definition of Group 2 Airplanes

    Pilatus requested the FAA revise the definition of Group 2 
airplanes in paragraph (g)(2) of the proposed AD from ``Airplanes 
without an inward vent valve P/N 963.04.26.520 installed with a serial 
number listed in section 1.C(1) of Pilatus SB 20-015'' to ``Airplanes 
with an inward vent valve P/N 963.04.26.520 installed with a serial 
number not listed in section 1.C(1) of the Pilatus SB 28-015.'' Pilatus 
stated the proposed definition is difficult to read and could be 
misinterpreted by an operator.
    The FAA disagrees. The language requested by Pilatus would change 
the scope of the prohibition installation in paragraph (i) of the 
proposed AD, such that it only applies to airplanes with inward vent 
valve P/N 963.04.26.520 installed. The FAA intended the prohibition 
installation to apply to all airplanes that are not Group 1 airplanes, 
even those with a different inward vent valve P/N (such as valves 
manufactured by the holder of a parts manufacturer approval or if there 
is a part number change to the vent in the future). The FAA did not 
change the proposed AD as a result of this comment.
    PlaneSense requested the FAA limit the applicability in paragraph 
(c) of the proposed AD to those airplanes defined as Group 1 in the 
proposed AD, so that it matches the effectivity of Pilatus Service 
Bulletin 28-015.
    The FAA disagrees. Although the applicability of the proposed AD is 
broader than the Pilatus SB, it proposed to require that only Group 1 
airplanes have the inward vent valves modified in accordance with the 
Pilatus SB. The FAA proposed a broader applicability to prohibit 
installation of an affected inward vent valve on all airplanes that are 
not Group 1 airplanes. The FAA did not change the applicability of the 
proposed AD as a result of this comment.

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 and 
service information referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant 
data, considered the comments received, 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. Except for 
the changes described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed in the 
NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any 
operator.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 28-015, dated October 
12, 2020, which contains information for identifying affected inward 
vent valves, removing the affected inward vent valve, and installing a 
modified inward vent valve.
    The FAA also reviewed Pall Corporation Service Bulletin SB9337-01-
29-01, Issue 1, dated September 22, 2020, which contains instructions 
for modifying the inward vent valve by applying corrosion protective 
chromate conversation coating.
    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.

[[Page 19380]]

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 24 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        airplane        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification per airplane if both     3 work-hours x $85 per              $50             $305           $7,320
 sides affected.                       hour = $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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:

2022-07-04 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-21991; Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0999; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00036-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 9, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-12/47E 
airplanes, serial number (S/N) 1720 and S/N 2001 and larger, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2800, Aircraft Fuel 
System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    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 inward vent 
valves installed during production without chromate conversion 
coating on the bonding surface. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
prevent corrosion and degradation of the electrical bonding to Rib 
16. This condition, if not addressed, could lead to arcing between 
the ungrounded equipment and the primary structure in the event of a 
lightning strike, resulting in a fire and reduced airplane control.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Definitions

    (1) Group 1 airplanes: Airplanes with an inward vent valve part 
number (P/N) 963.04.26.520 installed with a serial number listed in 
section 1.C(1) of Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 28-015, dated October 
12, 2020 (Pilatus SB 28-015).
    (2) Group 2 airplanes: Airplanes without an inward vent valve P/
N 963.04.26.520 installed with a serial number listed in section 
1.C(1) of Pilatus SB 28-015.

(h) Modification of Inward Vent Valves

    For Group 1 airplanes, within 1,200 hours time-in-service after 
the effective date of this AD or within 9 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, modify each inward vent 
valve in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions and Rework 
Instructions in Pall Corporation Service Bulletin SB9337-01-29-01, 
Issue 1, dated September 22, 2020 (Pall SB9337-01-29-01, Issue 1).

(i) Prohibited Installation

    For all airplanes, as of the effective date of this AD, do not 
install an inward vent valve P/N 963.04.26.520 that has a serial 
number listed in section 1.C(1) of Pilatus SB 28-015 on any 
airplane, unless it is modified in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions and Rework Instructions of Pall SB9337-
01-29-01, Issue 1.

(j) 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 (k)(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.

[[Page 19381]]

(k) 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; email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
AD 2021-0010, dated January 11, 2021, for related information. You 
may examine the EASA AD at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. Docket No. FAA-2021-0999.

(l) 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) Pall Corporation Service Bulletin SB9337-01-29-01, Issue 1, 
dated September 22, 2020.
    (ii) Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 28-015, dated October 12, 
2020.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., CH-6371, Stans, Switzerland; phone: +41 848 
247 365; email: aircraft.com">techsupport.ch@pilatus-aircraft.com; website: 
https://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/.
    (4) 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.
    (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 March 16, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-06975 Filed 4-1-22; 8:45 am]
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