DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0744; Project Identifier 2019-CE-056-AD; Amendment
39-21285; AD 2020-21-12]
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 Model PC-24 airplanes. This 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 AD requires
replacing the grommets. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 8, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 8,
2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
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 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 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, 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:

Discussion

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd
Model PC-24 airplanes with an emergency exit grommet part number (P/N)
944.87.32.001 installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
August 7, 2020 (85 FR 47919). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe
condition of the specified products and was based on MCAI originated by
the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA
issued AD No. 2019-0293, dated December 4, 2019 (referred to after this
as ``the MCAI''), which 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 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.

Comments

The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Pilatus 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.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 39 products of U.S.
registry. The FAA also estimates that it will take 1.0 work-hour per
product to comply with the requirements of this AD. The average labor
rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will 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

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.

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

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]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):