Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes, 10775-10776 [2021-03511]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 23, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10775-10776]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03511]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0818; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00987-A; 
Amendment 39-21381; AD 2021-01-05]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-24 airplanes. This AD 
results from 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 electrical harness installations on PC-24 
airplanes that are not in compliance with the approved design. This 
unsafe condition could lead to wire chafing and potential arcing or 
failure of wires having the incorrect length, possibly resulting in 
loss of system redundancy, or generation of smoke and smell, or loss of 
power plant fire protection function. This AD requires modifying the 
electrical harness installation. 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">[email protected]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-2020-0818.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0818; 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, 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 certain serial-numbered 
Pilatus Model PC-24 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on September 17, 2020 (85 FR 58002). 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. 2020-0158, dated July 16, 2020 
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. The MCAI states:

    During production, electrical harness installations on some PC-
24 aeroplanes were found not to comply with the approved design.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to wire chafing and 
potential arcing, or to failure of wires having the incorrect 
length, possibly resulting in loss of system redundancy, or 
generation of smoke and smell, or loss of power plant fire 
protection function.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus issued the 
[service bulletin] SB, providing instructions to improve the 
electrical harness installations in the nose bay, cockpit, fuselage, 
wing fairing and rear fuselage areas.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
modification of the electrical harness installations.

    The incorrect length wires are too short in length and do not have 
appropriate slack, which could lead to wires being pulled loose from 
the terminals during flight or ground operation. Generation of smell 
refers to the smell from electrical arcing. You may examine the MCAI in 
the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0818.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require modifying the electrical 
harness installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

Conclusion

    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 reviewed the relevant 
data and determined that air safety and the public interest require 
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. 91-001, dated 
April 7, 2020. The service information specifies procedures necessary 
to improve the electrical harness installation in the nose bay, 
cockpit, avionics rack, fuselage, wing fairing, and rear fuselage. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 36 products of U.S. 
registry. The FAA also estimates that it will take 20

[[Page 10776]]

work-hours per product to comply with the requirements of this AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about 
$75 per product.
    Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators at $63,900, or $1,775 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.

Adoption of 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:

2021-01-05 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-21381; Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0818; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00987-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, 
serial numbers 101 through 160 inclusive, certificated in any 
category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2497, ELECTRICAL 
POWER SYSTEM WIRING; 3197, INSTRUMENT SYSTEM WIRING.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by electrical harness installations on some 
PC-24 airplanes in production that did not comply with the approved 
design. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent wire chafing and 
potential arcing or failure of wires having the incorrect length. 
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of 
system redundancy, electrical arcing, or loss of power plant fire 
protection.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already accomplished, during the next annual inspection 
after the effective date of this AD or within 12 months after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, modify the 
electrical harness installation in accordance with sections 3.A. 
through 3.H. of the Accomplishment Instructions in Pilatus PC-24 
Service Bulletin No. 91-001, dated April 7, 2020.

(g) 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. Send information to Doug Rudolph, 
Aerospace 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].
    (2) 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.

(h) Related Information

    (1) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2020-0158, dated 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-2020-0818.

(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. 91-001, dated April 7, 
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">[email protected]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 December 30, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-03511 Filed 2-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P