Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes, 30761-30763 [2021-12044]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 110 (Thursday, June 10, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30761-30763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12044]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1074; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01257-A; 
Amendment 39-21574; AD 2021-11-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

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 the engine attachment hardware not

[[Page 30762]]

conforming to the approved design, which could affect the structural 
integrity of the airplane. This AD requires inspecting the engine 
attachment hardware for missing washers and loose nuts and taking 
corrective actions as necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 15, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 15, 
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, MO 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-2020-1074.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-1074; 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.

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; 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 March 26, 2021 (86 FR 16124). 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 2020-0194, dated September 8, 2020 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to address an unsafe condition on certain 
serial-numbered Pilatus Model PC-24 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    During a scheduled maintenance inspection, the engine attachment 
hardware of a PC-24 airplane was found not to conform to the 
approved design. A washer was missing beneath each of the four 
mating bolt heads on the rear engine beam. In addition, some of the 
keeper fitting attachment bolts on the LH/RH middle inner nacelle 
were found with loose nuts. It was also determined that other 
aeroplanes may have the same non-conformities.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could damage the 
engine attachment hardware, possibly affecting the structural 
integrity of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus issued the 
[service bulletin] SB, providing instructions for inspection and 
corrective action.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time inspection for missing washers and loose nuts on the engine 
attachment hardware and, depending on findings, the accomplishment 
of applicable corrective action(s).

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
1074.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspecting the engine 
attachment hardware for missing washers and loose nuts and taking 
corrective actions as necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on this product.

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. 71-001, dated 
June 30, 2020. This service information specifies procedures for 
inspecting the engine attachment hardware for loose nuts and missing 
washers and taking corrective actions depending on findings. 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 ADDRESSES.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 34 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates that it would take 2.5 work-hours to do the one-
time inspections. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators would be $7,225 or $212.50 per airplane.
    The FAA also estimates that, as on-condition costs, installing 
missing washers, replacing bolts, and doing an eddy current inspection 
of the bolt holes would take 4.5 work-hours and require parts costing 
$200 for a cost of $582.50 per airplane. This estimate assumes 
replacing all of the rear engine beam attachment bolts and washers and 
doing an eddy current inspection of all the attachment bolt holes. If 
the bolt holes are found damaged during the eddy current inspection, 
the damage will vary considerably from airplane to airplane, and the 
FAA has no way of estimating a repair cost. In addition, the FAA has no 
way of determining the number of airplanes that might need these 
actions.
    The FAA has included all known 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

[[Page 30763]]

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.

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:

2021-11-12 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-21574; Docket No. 
FAA-2020-1074; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01257-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 15, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-24 airplanes, 
serial numbers (S/Ns) 101 through 162, S/N 164, S/N 165, S/N 167, 
and S/N 168, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7120, Engine Mount 
Section.

(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 engine 
attachment hardware not conforming to the approved design. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to detect and address incorrectly installed 
attachment hardware in the engine and nacelle area. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in damage to the engine 
attachment hardware, which may affect the structural integrity of 
the airplane.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) and (2) 
of this AD at the next annual inspection after the effective date of 
this AD or within 11 months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later.
    (1) Inspect the left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) middle inner 
nacelles for loose nuts and correctly install any loose nut before 
further flight by following section 3.B(1) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in Pilatus PC-24 Service Bulletin No. 71-001, dated 
June 30, 2020 (Pilatus SB 71-001).
    (2) Inspect the LH and RH front and rear engine beams for 
missing washers by following section 3.B(2)(a) through (b) of the 
Accomplishment Instructions in Pilatus SB 71-001. If there are any 
missing washers, before further flight, do an eddy current 
inspection of the bolt holes for damage by following section 3.C of 
the Accomplishment Instructions in Pilatus SB 71-001. Where Pilatus 
SB 71-001 specifies obtaining repair instructions from Pilatus, the 
instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the 
Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or the European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Pilatus's EASA Design Organization 
Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include 
the DOA-authorized signature.

(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. If sending information directly to 
the manager of the International Validation Branch, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in Related Information.
    (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.

(h) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, 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; fax: (816) 329-4090; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to EASA AD 2020-0194, dated September 8, 2020, for 
more information. You may examine the EASA AD at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2020-1074.

(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. 71-001, dated June 30, 
2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. service information identified in 
this AD, contact 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, MO 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 May 17, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-12044 Filed 6-9-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P