Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 13, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38382-38384]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12491]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0426; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01324-A; 
Amendment 39-22451; AD 2023-11-05]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-10-
28, which applied to all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-24 
airplanes. AD 2021-10-28 required incorporating new revisions to the 
airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing airplane 
maintenance manual (AMM) or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness 
(ICA) to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. 
Since the FAA issued AD 2021-10-28, the FAA determined that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires 
revising the ALS of the existing AMM or ICA for your airplane, as 
specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which 
is incorporated by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 18, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 18, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-0426; 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For EASA material that is 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 
easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website at 
ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <bullet> 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. It is also available at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-0426.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
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 to supersede AD 2021-10-28, Amendment 39-21561 (86 FR 
30763, June 10, 2021) (AD 2021-10-28). AD 2021-10-28 applied to all 
Pilatus Model PC-24 airplanes. AD 2021-10-28 required incorporating new 
revisions to the ALS of the existing AMM or ICA to incorporate new 
tasks for the control column sprocket gear assembly and control wheel 
column assembly, to address the new limit of validity and update the 
usage assumptions and conditions for operations on unpaved and grass 
runways, and to correct an error in the horizontal stabilizer primary 
trim system secondary power source operational test. The FAA issued AD 
2021-10-28 to prevent reduction in the structural integrity of the 
airframe and components, as well as an unrecognized failure of the 
manual pitch trim, which

[[Page 38383]]

could lead to loss of control of the airplane.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 8, 2023 (88 FR 
14306). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2022-0207, dated October 10, 
2022 (EASA AD 2022-0207) (referred to after this as the MCAI), issued 
by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union. The MCAI states new or more restrictive tasks and 
limitations have been developed. These new or more restrictive 
airworthiness limitations include introducing new Certification 
Maintenance Requirement (CMR) Task AL-24-60-004, Emergency Power 
Contactor 2, by converting the existing Scheduled Maintenance Task SM-
24-60-0004, Emergency Contactor 2 Test (EC2 Test) into that CMR task.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-0426.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the ALS of the 
existing AMM or ICA for your airplane, as specified in EASA AD 2022-
0207. The FAA is issuing this AD to address failure of certain parts, 
which could result in loss of control of the airplane. Additionally, 
the actions required to address the unsafe condition in AD 2021-10-28 
are included in ``the applicable ALS,'' as defined in EASA AD 2022-
0207.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority of 
another country and are 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 referenced above. 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. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is 
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2022-0207 requires certain actions and associated 
thresholds and intervals, including life limits and maintenance tasks.
    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 ADDRESSES.

Differences Between This AD and EASA AD 2022-0207

    Paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0207 requires corrective action in 
accordance with the applicable Pilatus maintenance documentation or 
contacting Pilatus for approved instructions and accomplishing those 
instructions accordingly. Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0207 requires 
revising the approved aircraft maintenance program. Paragraph (4) of 
EASA AD 2022-0207 provides credit for performing actions in accordance 
with previous revisions of the Pilatus AMM. Paragraph (5) of EASA AD 
2022-0207 explains that after revision of the approved aircraft 
maintenance program, it is not necessary to record accomplishment of 
individual actions for demonstration of AD compliance. This AD does not 
require compliance with paragraphs (2) through (5) of EASA AD 2022-
0207.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 73 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these figures, the FAA estimates that revising the ALS of the existing 
AMM or ICA for your airplane requires about 1 work-hour for an 
estimated cost on U.S. operators of $6,205 or $85 per airplane.

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

    The FAA has determined that 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2021-10-28, Amendment 39-21561 (86 
FR 30763, June 10, 2021); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2023-11-05 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-22451; Docket No. 
FAA-2023-0426; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01324-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 18, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2021-10-28, Amendment 39-21561 (86 FR 30763, 
June 10, 2021) (AD 2021-10-28).

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2460, DC Power/
Distribution 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

[[Page 38384]]

condition on an aviation product. The MCAI states that failure to 
revise the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing 
aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) by introducing new or more 
restrictive tasks and limitations, which introduces a new 
certification maintenance requirement (CMR) task to test emergency 
power contactor 2, could result in an unsafe condition. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address failure of certain parts, which could 
result in loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD, 
revise the ALS of the existing AMM or Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness for your airplane by incorporating the requirements 
specified in paragraph (1) of European Union Aviation Safety Agency 
AD 2022-0207, dated October 10, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0207).
    (2) The actions required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD may be 
performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private 
pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records 
showing compliance with this AD in accordance with Sec. Sec.  
43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as 
required by Sec.  91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.

(h) Provisions for Alternative Requirements (Airworthiness Limitations)

    After the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD have been 
done, no alternative requirements (airworthiness limitations) are 
allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of 
the ``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2022-0207.

(i) 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 Sec.  39.19. In accordance with Sec.  39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Validation Branch, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD or 
email to: [email protected]. If mailing information, also 
submit information by email. Before using any approved AMOC, notify 
your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal 
inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (2) Global AMOC AIR-730-22-248, dated July 12, 2022, was 
approved as an AMOC for the requirements of AD 2021-10-28, and is 
approved as an AMOC for the requirements of paragraph (g) of this 
AD. Other AMOCs previously issued for the requirements of AD 2021-
10-28 are not approved as an AMOC for the requirements of this AD.

(j) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Doug Rudolph, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (816) 329-4059; email: 
[email protected]

(k) 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 AD 2022-0207, dated 
October 10, 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2022-0207, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: 
[email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA 
AD on the EASA website at 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.
    (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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on June 2, 2023.
Michael Linegang,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-12491 Filed 6-12-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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