DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0753; Project Identifier 2019-CE-033-AD; Amendment
39-21331; AD 2020-24-01]
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 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 overheating of the electrical wiring splices close to the
right-hand pitot-static connector on frame 10. The FAA is issuing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 28, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 28,
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, 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-2020-0753.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0753; 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, Missouri 64106;
telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
doug.rudolph@faa.gov.

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 Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-24 airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on September 2, 2020 (85 FR 54515). 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 issued AD No. 2019-0166, dated July 15, 2019
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-24 airplanes. The MCAI
states:

During maintenance it was found that affected parts located
close to the right-hand pitot/static connector on frame 10 showed
signs of overheating.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to an uncontrolled
fire in the cockpit area, or loss of probe heating and de-icing
function, possibly resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane.
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, and prohibits
(re)installation of affected parts.

The MCAI identifies the ``affected part'' as electrical wiring
splice part number (P/N) 971.31.32.561 and a ``serviceable part'' as
electrical wiring splice P/N 971.31.32.641. EASA identified the root
cause of the overheating as internal corrosion of the affected splices,
which are not immersion-resistant, due to moisture ingress. The
serviceable splices are immersion-resistant. You may examine the MCAI
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2020-0753.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

Conclusion

The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
requires adopting this AD as proposed in the NPRM. Accordingly, the FAA
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. has issued Pilatus PC-24 Service Bulletin No.
30-002, dated April 3, 2019. The service information contains
procedures for replacing certain electrical splices and wire for the
pitot and static probes. 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 proposed AD will affect 16 products of
U.S. registry. The FAA also estimates that it would take 6 work-hours
per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD.
The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost
about $65 per product.
Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of the proposed
AD on U.S. operators to be $9,200, or $575 per product.
The FAA has included all known costs in its 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.

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: