DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0711; Project Identifier 2019-CE-024-AD; Amendment
39-21814; AD 2021-23-16]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pacific Aerospace Limited 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 Pacific Aerospace Limited Model 750XL airplanes. 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 chafing of the engine fuel feed line hoses.
This AD requires inspecting the engine fuel feed line hoses and the
electrical wiring and rerouting all fuel lines. The FAA is issuing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 11, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 11,
2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, Level 15, Asteron
Centre, 55 Featherston Street, Wellington 6011; phone: +64 4 560 9400;
fax: +64 4 569 2024; email: info@caa.govt.nz. 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-2021-0711.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0711; 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: Mike Kiesov, Aviation Safety Engineer,
General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch,
FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-
4144; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: mike.kiesov@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
Pacific Aerospace Limited Model 750XL airplanes fitted with an air
conditioner and/or standby alternator. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on August 27, 2021 (86 FR 48086). The NPRM was
prompted by MCAI originated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA),
which is the aviation authority for New Zealand. The CAA of New Zealand has
issued AD DCA/ 750XL/37, effective April 25, 2019 (referred to after this as ``the
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Pacific Aerospace
Limited Model 750XL airplanes. The MCAI states:

DCA/750XL/37 is prompted by a review of the installation of the
engine fuel lines and the electrical installation forward of the
engine firewall on aircraft fitted with an air conditioner and/or a
standby alternator, including those aircraft configured for the
installation of an air conditioner and/or a standby alternator. It
was found that the engine fuel feed lines hoses could possibly chafe
against the adjacent electrical wiring and the ignition exciter,
which could result in a fuel leak and possible fire. The [CAA] AD is
issued to introduce the corrective actions in Pacific Aerospace
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) PACSB/XL/113 issue 2, dated 8 March
2019.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0711.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received a comment from an individual who supported the
NPRM without change.

Conclusion

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
the FAA's 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, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety
requires 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 Pacific Aerospace Mandatory Service Bulletin
PACSB/XL/113, Issue 2, dated March 8, 2019. The service information
contains procedures for inspecting the engine fuel feed line hoses and
the electrical wiring for chafing or damage, rerouting all fuel lines
and the fuel transducer and pressure switch wiring (including
installing P clips), and inspecting the fuel hose for chafing and
replacing chafed fire sleeves or fuel hoses if necessary. 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.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

The MCAI requires an inspection at the next 150 hour maintenance
inspection or within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), whichever
occurs later, while this AD requires those actions within 50 hours TIS
or at the next annual inspection after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later. If there is no chafing and damage found during
the inspection, the MCAI requires certain follow-on actions at the next
300 hour maintenance inspection or within the next 50 hours TIS,
whichever is later. This AD requires those actions within 50 hours TIS
or at the next annual inspection, whichever occurs later, because there
is no regulatory requirement for operators in the U.S. to have 150-hour
or 300-hour maintenance inspections.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 23 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA also estimates that it will take about 5 work-hours
per airplane and require parts costing $20 per airplane to comply with
the inspection and re-routing that are required by this AD. The average
labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the inspection and re-
routing cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $10,235, or $445 per
airplane.
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: