Proposed Rule2023-03924
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
February 27, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-12, PC-12/45, PC- 12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes. This proposed 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 insufficient grounding of the vapor cycle cooling system (VCCS) compressor/condenser. This proposed AD would require inspecting the power return and chassis grounding cable attachment points at frame 37, including the attachment parts, and depending on the inspection results, corrective action. This proposed AD would also require modifying the installation of the VCCS compressor/condenser power return cables and installing an additional isolated VCCS chassis ground cable. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 38 (Monday, February 27, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 38 (Monday, February 27, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12273-12276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-03924]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-0421; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01360-A]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-
12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes. This proposed 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 insufficient grounding of the vapor cycle cooling system
(VCCS) compressor/condenser. This proposed AD would require inspecting
the power return and chassis grounding cable attachment points at frame
37, including the attachment parts, and depending on the inspection
results, corrective action. This proposed AD would also require
modifying the installation of the VCCS compressor/condenser power
return cables and installing an additional isolated VCCS chassis ground
cable. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by April 13, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-0421; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket
[[Page 12274]]
contains this NPRM, the MCAI, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For service information identified in this NPRM, contact
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Support General Aviation, CH-6371
Stans, Switzerland; phone: +41 848 24 7 365; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cebaabada6bdbbbebea1bcbae0ada68ebea7a2afbabbbde3f2afeea6bcaba8f3" http: aircraft.com">aircraft.com</a>">techsupport.ch@pilatus-<a href="http://aircraft.com">aircraft.com</a></a>; website: pilatus-<a href="http://aircraft.com">aircraft.com</a>.
<bullet> 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.
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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#96f2f9e3f1b8e4e3f2f9fae6fed6f0f7f7b8f1f9e0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d8bcb7adbff6aaadbcb7b4a8b098beb9b9f6bfb7ae">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2023-0421; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-01360-A'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Doug
Rudolph, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft
Section, International Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas
City, MO 64106. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued
EASA AD 2022-0212, dated October 18, 2022 (referred to after this as
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition on certain serial-
numbered Pilatus Model PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E
airplanes.
The MCAI was prompted by a reported occurrence of a burning odor
coming from the air conditioning vents during the climb phase of a
Pilatus Model PC-12/47E airplane. An investigation identified that
insufficient grounding of the VCCS compressor/condenser at frame 37
resulted in severe heat damage to the baseplate and adjacent metal
support structure. It was determined that this condition may occur on
airplanes equipped in production with the large oxygen bottle installed
on the right-hand side of the rear fuselage.
To address the unsafe condition, the MCAI requires a one-time
inspection of the power return and chassis grounding cable attachment
point at frame 37, including the attachment parts, and modification of
the installation of the VCCS.
This condition, if not addressed, could, in the case of damage to
the oxygen supply line, lead to an uncontrolled fire with damage to the
airplane and injury to the occupants.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-0421.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Pilatus PC-12 Service Bulletin 21-016, dated
August 15, 2022, which specifies procedures for inspecting the power
return and chassis grounding cable attachment point on the airframe at
frame 37, including the attachment parts, modifying the installation of
the VCCS compressor/condenser power return cables, and installing an
additional isolated VCCS chassis ground cable. This service bulletin
also specifies contacting Pilatus if any damage is found.
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.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are 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 described above. The FAA is issuing
this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of these
same type designs.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the MCAI, except as discussed under ``Differences Between this
Proposed AD and the MCAI.''
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI
The MCAI requires contacting the manufacturer for approved
corrective action instructions if any discrepancy is found during the
inspection. This proposed AD would require contacting either the
Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Pilatus's
EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 8 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
[[Page 12275]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspect........................... 3 work-hours x $85 Not Applicable....... $255 $2,040
per hour = $255.
Modify............................ 5 work-hours x $85 667.................. 1,092 8,736
per hour = $425.
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The repair instructions that may be needed as a result of the
inspection could vary significantly from airplane to airplane. The FAA
has no data to determine the costs to accomplish the repair or the
number of airplanes that would need this repair.
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
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. FAA-2023-0421; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-01360-A.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by April 13, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-12, PC-12/45,
PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes, serial numbers 466, 467, 725,
861, 1032, 1052, 1082, 1115, 1232, 1411, 1428, 1439, 1530, 1541,
1663, 1725, and 1802, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2197, Air
Conditioning System Wiring.
(e) Unsafe Condition
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 insufficient
grounding of the vapor cycle cooling system (VCCS) compressor/
condenser. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this condition. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could, in the case of damage to
the oxygen supply line, lead to an uncontrolled fire with damage to
the airplane, and injury to the occupants.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect
the power return and chassis grounding cable attachment points at
frame 37, including the attachment parts, for physical and heat
damage, de-lamination, and corrosion in accordance with steps (2)
through (6) of Section 3.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions in
Pilatus PC-12 Service Bulletin (SB) 21-016, dated August 15, 2022
(Pilatus PC-12 SB 21-016).
(2) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of
this AD, any physical or heat damage, de-lamination, or corrosion as
identified in steps (2) through (6) of Section 3.B. of the
Accomplishment Instructions in Pilatus PC-12 SB 21-016 is detected,
before further flight, repair using a method approved by the
Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; the European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Pilatus's EASA Design Organization
Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include
the DOA-authorized signature.
(3) Within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the installation of the VCCS compressor/condenser power return
cables and install an additional isolated VCCS chassis ground cable
in accordance with Section 3.C. of the Accomplishment Instructions
in Pilatus PC-12 SB 21-016. Where the service bulletin specifies
discarding the stop angle, this AD requires removing the stop angle
from service.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in Sec. 39.19. In accordance with Sec. 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, mail
it to the address identified in paragraph (i)(2) of this AD or email
to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#437a6e0215106e020a116e7470736e020e0c00032522226d242c35"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0a33274b5c59274b4358273d393a274b4745494a6c6b6b246d657c">[email protected]</span></a>. If mailing information, also submit
information by email. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office.
(i) Additional Information
(1) Refer to EASA AD 2022-0212, dated October 18, 2022, for
related information. This EASA AD may be found in the AD docket at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2023-0421.
(2) For more information about this AD, 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#761219031158040312191a061e3610171758111900"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="75111a00125b0700111a19051d351314145b121a03">[email protected]</span></a>.
[[Page 12276]]
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Pilatus PC-12 Service Bulletin 21-016, dated August 15,
2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Support General Aviation, CH-6371
Stans, Switzerland; phone: +41 848 24 7 365; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#483c2d2b203b3d3838273a3c662b2008382124293c3d3b65742968203a2d2e75" http: aircraft.com">aircraft.com</a>">techsupport.ch@pilatus-<a href="http://aircraft.com">aircraft.com</a></a>; website: pilatus-<a href="http://aircraft.com">aircraft.com</a>.
(4) 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.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#365044185f5845465355425f5958765857445718515940"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7a1c08541314090a1f190e1315143a141b081b541d150c">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on February 17, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-03924 Filed 2-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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