Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, 47919-47921 [2020-17036]

Download as PDF 47919 Proposed Rules Federal Register Vol. 85, No. 153 Friday, August 7, 2020 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2020–0744; Project Identifier 2019–CE–056–AD] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AGENCY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd Model PC– 24 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as the vinyl grommets on the upper panel assembly on the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) emergency exits becoming rigid after exposure to low temperatures, which could result in failure of the emergency exits to open during an evacuation. This proposed AD would require replacing the grommets. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 21, 2020. ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: (202) 493–2251. • Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M– jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:27 Aug 06, 2020 Jkt 250001 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. • For 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: Techsupport@pilatus-aircraft.com; internet: https://www.pilatusaircraft.com/en. 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 816–329–4148. It is also available on the internet at https:// www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–2020– 0744. Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https:// www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–2020– 0744; 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 NPRM, the MCAI, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace 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: doug.rudolph@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2020–0744; Product Identifier 2019–CE–056–AD’’ at the beginning of your comments. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD because of those comments. PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments we receive, without change, to https:// regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact it receives about this proposed AD. Confidential Business Information CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Doug Rudolph, Aerospace 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: doug.rudolph@faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. Discussion The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA AD No. 2019–0293, dated December 4, 2019 (referred to after this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition for all PC–24 airplanes. The MCAI states: After exposure to low temperatures, the vinyl grommets which hold the upper panel assembly in position on the left-hand and right-hand emergency exits were found to become rigid. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the emergency exits to E:\FR\FM\07AUP1.SGM 07AUP1 47920 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 153 / Friday, August 7, 2020 / Proposed Rules open during an evacuation, possibly resulting in injury to occupants. 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, as defined in this AD, and prohibits (re-)installation of affected parts. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at https:// www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–2020– 0744. Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 The FAA reviewed Pilatus Aircraft Ltd PC–24 Service Bulletin No. 25–005, dated August 12, 2019. The service information contains procedures for replacing the grommets that are used to hold the upper panel assembly in position on the LH and RH emergency exits with different part-numbered grommets. 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. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS FAA’s Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our 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 is proposing this AD because it evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 39 products of U.S. registry. The FAA also estimates that it would take 1.0 work-hour per product to comply with the requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $30 per product. Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $4,485 or $115 per product. According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, the VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:27 Aug 06, 2020 Jkt 250001 FAA has included all costs in this cost estimate. 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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed regulation: (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 Proposed Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: ■ Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. FAA–2020– 0744; Project Identifier 2019–CE–056– AD. (a) Comments Due Date The FAA must receive comments by August 27, 2020. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC–24 airplanes, all serial numbers, with an emergency exit grommet part number (P/N) 944.87.32.001 installed, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 52: Doors. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report that after exposure to low temperatures, the vinyl grommets that hold the upper panel assembly in position on the left-hand (LH) and righthand (RH) emergency exits can become rigid. This unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the emergency exits to open during an evacuation. (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, replace each grommet P/N 944.87.32.001 holding the upper panel assembly in position on the LH and RH emergency exits with grommet P/N 525.26.24.035 in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, section 3.B., of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd PC–24 Service Bulletin No. 25–005, dated August 12, 2019. (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a grommet P/N 944.87.32.001 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 ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace 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: doug.rudolph@ faa.gov. 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. 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. E:\FR\FM\07AUP1.SGM 07AUP1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 153 / Friday, August 7, 2020 / Proposed Rules (h) Related Information Refer to MCAI European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD No. 2019–0293, dated December 4, 2019. You may examine the MCAI on the internet at https:// www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–2020–0744. For service information related to 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: Techsupport@pilatus-aircraft.com; internet: https://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/en. You may review this referenced 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. Issued on July 30, 2020. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2020–17036 Filed 8–6–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2018–0893; Product Identifier 2018–SW–032–AD] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AGENCY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017–09–05 for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters. AD 2017–09–05 requires repetitively checking screws in the emergency flotation gear. Since the FAA issued AD 2017–09–05, Airbus Helicopters developed a modification that addresses the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2017–09–05 but would require installing the modification, which would be a terminating action for the repetitive checks required by AD 2017–09–05. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products. DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 21, 2020. ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods: jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:27 Aug 06, 2020 Jkt 250001 • Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically. • Fax: 202–493–2251. • Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ‘‘Mail’’ address between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https:// www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–2018– 0893; 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 proposed AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, any comments received and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. For service information identified in this proposed rule, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone 972–641– 0000 or 800–232–0323; fax 972–641– 3775; or at https://www.airbus.com/ helicopters/services/technicalsupport.html. You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. Matt Fuller, Safety Management Program Manager, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, General Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817–222– 5110; email matthew.fuller@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments Invited The FAA invites you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed electronically, PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 47921 commenters should submit only one time. Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will file in the docket all comments received, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, the FAA will consider all comments the FAA receives on or before the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light of the comments received. Confidential Business Information Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Matt Fuller, Safety Management Program Manager, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, General Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817–222–5110; email matthew.fuller@faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. Discussion The FAA issued AD 2017–09–05, Amendment 39–18867 (82 FR 21913, May 11, 2017) (‘‘AD 2017–09–05’’), for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters with emergency flotation gear installed. AD 2017–09–05 requires repetitive visual checks of the emergency flotation gear screws. Those actions are intended to prevent the failure of a rear upper screw fitting on the emergency flotation gear. E:\FR\FM\07AUP1.SGM 07AUP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 153 (Friday, August 7, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47919-47921]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-17036]


========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 153 / Friday, August 7, 2020 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 47919]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0744; Project Identifier 2019-CE-056-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd Model PC-24 airplanes. This proposed 
AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify 
and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI 
describes the unsafe condition as the vinyl grommets on the upper panel 
assembly on the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) emergency exits 
becoming rigid after exposure to low temperatures, which could result 
in failure of the emergency exits to open during an evacuation. This 
proposed AD would require replacing the grommets. The FAA is proposing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 
21, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     For 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">[email protected]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, MO 64106. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 816-329-4148. It is 
also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0744.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0744; 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 NPRM, the MCAI, any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace 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:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2020-0744; 
Product Identifier 2019-CE-056-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend this proposed AD because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments we receive, without change, to 
https://regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive 
verbal contact it receives about this proposed AD.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Doug 
Rudolph, Aerospace 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]. Any commentary that the FAA receives which 
is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public 
docket for this rulemaking.

Discussion

    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has 
issued EASA AD No. 2019-0293, dated December 4, 2019 (referred to after 
this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all PC-24 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    After exposure to low temperatures, the vinyl grommets which 
hold the upper panel assembly in position on the left-hand and 
right-hand emergency exits were found to become rigid.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the 
emergency exits to

[[Page 47920]]

open during an evacuation, possibly resulting in injury to 
occupants.
    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, as defined in 
this AD, and prohibits (re-)installation of affected parts.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0744.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Pilatus Aircraft Ltd PC-24 Service Bulletin No. 
25-005, dated August 12, 2019. The service information contains 
procedures for replacing the grommets that are used to hold the upper 
panel assembly in position on the LH and RH emergency exits with 
different part-numbered grommets. 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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our 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 is proposing this AD 
because it evaluated all information and determined the unsafe 
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of 
the same type design.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 39 products of 
U.S. registry. The FAA also estimates that it would take 1.0 work-hour 
per product to comply with the requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost 
about $30 per product.
    Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of the AD on 
U.S. operators to be $4,485 or $115 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all costs in this cost 
estimate.

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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed 
regulation:
    (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 Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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:

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. FAA-2020-0744; Project Identifier 
2019-CE-056-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by August 27, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to Pilatus Aircraft 
Ltd. Model PC-24 airplanes, all serial numbers, with an emergency 
exit grommet part number (P/N) 944.87.32.001 installed, certificated 
in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 52: Doors.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that after exposure to low 
temperatures, the vinyl grommets that hold the upper panel assembly 
in position on the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) emergency 
exits can become rigid. This unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in failure of the emergency exits to open during an 
evacuation.

(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, replace 
each grommet P/N 944.87.32.001 holding the upper panel assembly in 
position on the LH and RH emergency exits with grommet P/N 
525.26.24.035 in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
section 3.B., of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd PC-24 Service Bulletin No. 25-
005, dated August 12, 2019.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a 
grommet P/N 944.87.32.001 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 ATTN: Doug 
Rudolph, Aerospace 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. 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 47921]]

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD No. 2019-
0293, dated December 4, 2019. You may examine the MCAI on the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0744. For service information related 
to 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">[email protected]aircraft.com; internet: https://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/en. You may review this referenced 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.

    Issued on July 30, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-17036 Filed 8-6-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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