DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0092; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01428-A;
Amendment 39-22039; AD 2022-10-01]
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. (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 a batch of incorrectly sized
fuel transfer ejector nozzles that were installed on Model PC-12/47E
airplanes during production. This AD requires removing the affected
fuel transfer ejectors from service and prohibits installation of the
affected fuel transfer ejectors. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 24, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 24,
2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Support
General Aviation, CH-6371 Stans, Switzerland; phone: +41 848 24 7 365;
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-2022-0092.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0092; 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, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International
Validation Branch, FAA, 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 February 10, 2022 (87 FR 7774). 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 2020-0229, dated October 20, 2020 (referred to after this as
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition on Pilatus Model PC-12/
47E airplanes with serial number 2001 and larger. The MCAI states:

An occurrence was reported where, on the production line, a
batch of fuel transfer ejectors with an incorrect (too small) nozzle
diameter were installed on some PC-12/47E aeroplanes. Such fuel
transfer ejectors are not in compliance with the latest approved
design data.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in a restriction
of the motive fuel flow due to ice accumulation, possibly resulting
in a reduction of safety margins in the fuel system.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Pilatus issued the
SB [Service Bulletin] to provide replacement instructions.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires
replacement of the affected parts with serviceable parts, as defined
in the [EASA] 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-2022-0092.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require removing the affected fuel
transfer ejectors from service and proposed to prohibit installation of
an affected fuel transfer ejector. 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 the Airline Pilots
Association, International (ALPA). The following presents the comments
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.
ALPA supported the NPRM without change.
Pilatus requested the FAA clarify the unsafe condition statement in
paragraph (e) of the proposed AD. Pilatus disagreed with the conclusion
that reduction in safety margins in the fuel system could result in
loss of control of the airplane. Pilatus explained that a reduction in
safety margins would not lead to loss of control of the airplane; in
the event the engine is starved of fuel, it will shut down but not
necessarily lead to a loss of control because the airplane could glide
controllably for a period of time.
The FAA agrees and has revised paragraph (e) of this AD to state
that the unsafe condition could lead to ``loss of engine power or
engine shutdown.''

Conclusion

This model 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
referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the
comments received, and determined that, except for the changes
described previously, air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed.
Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on this product. Except for any 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 PC-12 Service Bulletin No. 28-014, dated
August 12, 2020. This service information contains the serial numbers
of the affected fuel transfer ejectors and specifies procedures for
replacing the affected fuel transfer ejectors. 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 10 airplanes of U.S.
Registry. Although there are 54 affected fuel transfer ejectors
worldwide, the FAA has no way of knowing how many affected parts may be
installed on airplanes of U.S. Registry. The estimated cost on U.S.
operators reflects the maximum possible cost based on the 10 airplanes
of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

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: