Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 90 (Tuesday, May 10, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27923-27925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-09815]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0084; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01312-A; 
Amendment 39-22012; AD 2022-08-09]
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 all 
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-24 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by a failure of the dual ethernet communication channel on a 
dual-channel data concentration and processing unit, which triggered 
the opening of electronic circuit breakers that caused several 
unintended system activations. This AD requires installing a software 
(SW) upgrade to the utility management system (UMS), as specified in a 
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated 
by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 14, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 14, 
2022.

[[Page 27924]]


ADDRESSES: For EASA material incorporated by reference in this final 
rule, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 
phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: [email protected]; website: 
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website 
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. For service information identified in 
this final rule, contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., CH-6371, Stans, 
Switzerland; phone: +41848247365; email: aircraft.com">techsupport.ch@pilatus-aircraft.com; website: http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/. You may view 
this material 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. 
Service information that is approved for IBR is also available at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2022-0084.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0084; 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 
EASA AD, 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, MO 64106; 
phone: (816) 329-4059; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0200, dated September 21, 2020 
(EASA AD 2020-0200), to correct an unsafe condition on Pilatus Model 
PC-24 airplanes, all serial numbers. EASA AD 2020-0200 was prompted by 
a report that, during climb, a Model PC-24 airplane experienced a dual 
ethernet communication channel failure on a dual-channel data 
concentration and processing unit. The failure triggered the opening of 
electronic circuit breakers, which led to degradation of environmental 
control system functionalities, the deployment of all passenger oxygen 
masks, and the autopilot entering into emergency descent mode. 
According to EASA, various crew alerting system messages were displayed 
and the functionality of other systems (such as flaps, fuel indication, 
and the ice protection system) was significantly degraded.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Pilatus Model PC-24 
airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 3, 
2022 (87 FR 6087). The NPRM was prompted by the failure of the dual 
ethernet communication channel on a dual-channel data concentration and 
processing unit identified in EASA AD 2020-0200. The NPRM proposed to 
require installing a SW upgrade to the UMS, as specified in EASA AD 
2020-0200.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the dual ethernet 
communication channel on a dual-channel data concentration and 
processing unit. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result 
in increased pilot workload and reduced control of the airplane.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

Conclusion

    These airplanes have been approved by EASA and are approved for 
operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral 
agreement with the European Union, EASA notified the FAA about the 
unsafe condition described in the EASA AD. 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 EASA AD 2020-0200, which specifies upgrading the 
UMS SW and prohibits installing an earlier version of the SW. This 
material 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.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Pilatus PC-24 Service Bulletin No. 42-010, dated 
January 21, 2020. This service information contains procedures for 
upgrading the UMS SW to Build 7.3.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    Where EASA AD 2020-0200 requires compliance after its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. Where EASA 
AD 2020-0200 prohibits the installation of an affected part ``from the 
effective date'' of EASA AD 2020-0200, this AD requires using ``as of 
the effective date of this AD.'' Although the service information 
referenced in EASA AD 2020-0200 specifies reporting information to the 
manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 42 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Install SW upgrade to UMS.............  8 work-hours x $85 per            $5,000          $5,680        $238,560
                                         hour = $680.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

[[Page 27925]]

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:

2022-08-09 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-22012; Docket No. 
FAA-2022-0084; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01312-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 14, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-24 airplanes, 
all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2200, Auto Flight 
System; 2400, Electrical Power System; 3140, Central Computers 
(EICAS); 3500, Oxygen System; and 4500, Central Maint, Computer.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a failure of the dual ethernet 
communication channel on a dual-channel data concentration and 
processing unit, which triggered the opening of electronic circuit 
breakers that caused several unintended system activations. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the dual ethernet 
communication channel on a dual-channel data concentration and 
processing unit. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in increased pilot workload and reduced control of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For Group 1 airplanes as defined under the ``Definitions'' 
section in European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2020-0200, dated 
September 21, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0200): Install the build 7.3 
standard software upgrade to the utility management system software 
in accordance with paragraph 1 and the ``Ref. Publications'' section 
of EASA AD 2020-0200, except you are required to comply within 30 
days after the effective date of this AD. After updating the 
software, do not install on that airplane utility management system 
software that is earlier than version 7.3.
    (2) For Group 2 airplanes as defined under the ``Definitions'' 
section in EASA AD 2020-0200: As of the effective date of this AD, 
do not install utility management system software that is earlier 
than version 7.3 on any airplane.

(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 International Validation Branch, send 
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (i) 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

    For more information about this AD, contact Doug Rudolph, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-4059; email: [email protected].

(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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0200, 
dated September 21, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 
000; email: [email protected]; website: www.easa.europa.eu. You may 
find the EASA material on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (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. This material may 
be found in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0084.
    (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: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on May 3, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-09815 Filed 5-9-22; 8:45 am]
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