DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0999; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00036-A;
Amendment 39-21991; AD 2022-07-04]
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-12/47E 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 inward vent valves installed
during production without chromate conversion coating on the bonding
surface. This AD requires modifying the inward vent valves and
prohibits installing unmodified inward vent valves. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective May 9, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of May 9, 2022.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., CH-6371, Stans, Switzerland; phone: +41
848 247 365; email: techsupport.ch@pilatus-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
(817) 222-5110. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0999.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0999; 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, MO 64106; phone:
(816) 329-4059; 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 Model PC-12/47E airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on November 12, 2021 (86 FR 62746). The NPRM was prompted by
MCAI from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is
the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA
issued AD 2021-0010, dated January 11, 2021 (referred to after this as
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for Pilatus Model PC-12/
47E airplanes with serial number 1720 and serial number 2001 and
higher. The MCAI states:
An occurrence was reported where, on the production line, a
batch of inward vent valves without a chromate conversion coating on
the bonding surface were installed on some PC-12/47E aeroplanes.
Such inward vent valves are not in compliance with the latest
approved design data.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to corrosion,
consequent degradation of the electrical bonding to Rib 16, and in
case of lightning strike, to arcing between the ungrounded equipment
and the primary structure, possibly resulting in a fire and reduced
control of the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus issued the
SB [Service Bulletin] to provide modification instructions.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires
modification of each affected part, as defined in this AD. This
[EASA] AD also prohibits (re-) installation of affected parts.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0999.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require modifying the inward vent
valves and proposed to prohibit installing unmodified inward vent
valves. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from Pilatus and PlaneSense Inc.
(PlaneSense). The following presents the comments received on the NPRM
and the FAA's response to each comment.
Request To Correct Service Bulletin References
Pilatus and PlaneSense requested that the FAA correct an error in
the service bulletin (SB) references in paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of
the proposed AD. Pilatus stated these paragraphs read ``Pilatus SB 20-
015'' when they should read ``Pilatus SB 28-015.''
The FAA agrees and has corrected the service bulletin references.
Request To Revise the Definition of Group 2 Airplanes
Pilatus requested the FAA revise the definition of Group 2
airplanes in paragraph (g)(2) of the proposed AD from ``Airplanes
without an inward vent valve P/N 963.04.26.520 installed with a serial
number listed in section 1.C(1) of Pilatus SB 20-015'' to ``Airplanes
with an inward vent valve P/N 963.04.26.520 installed with a serial
number not listed in section 1.C(1) of the Pilatus SB 28-015.'' Pilatus
stated the proposed definition is difficult to read and could be
misinterpreted by an operator.
The FAA disagrees. The language requested by Pilatus would change
the scope of the prohibition installation in paragraph (i) of the
proposed AD, such that it only applies to airplanes with inward vent
valve P/N 963.04.26.520 installed. The FAA intended the prohibition
installation to apply to all airplanes that are not Group 1 airplanes,
even those with a different inward vent valve P/N (such as valves
manufactured by the holder of a parts manufacturer approval or if there
is a part number change to the vent in the future). The FAA did not
change the proposed AD as a result of this comment.
PlaneSense requested the FAA limit the applicability in paragraph
(c) of the proposed AD to those airplanes defined as Group 1 in the
proposed AD, so that it matches the effectivity of Pilatus Service
Bulletin 28-015.
The FAA disagrees. Although the applicability of the proposed AD is
broader than the Pilatus SB, it proposed to require that only Group 1
airplanes have the inward vent valves modified in accordance with the
Pilatus SB. The FAA proposed a broader applicability to prohibit
installation of an affected inward vent valve on all airplanes that are
not Group 1 airplanes. The FAA did not change the applicability of the
proposed AD as a result of this comment.
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 the 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. Except for
the changes described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed in the
NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any
operator.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 28-015, dated October
12, 2020, which contains information for identifying affected inward
vent valves, removing the affected inward vent valve, and installing a
modified inward vent valve.
The FAA also reviewed Pall Corporation Service Bulletin SB9337-01-
29-01, Issue 1, dated September 22, 2020, which contains instructions
for modifying the inward vent valve by applying corrosion protective
chromate conversation coating.
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 24 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
airplane
|
Cost on
U.S. operators
|
Modification per airplane if
both sides affected |
3 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $255 |
$50
|
$305
|
$7,320
|
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 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:
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