Rule2025-17516
Airworthiness Directives; Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.p.A. Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 11, 2025
Effective
September 26, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.p.A. (Tecnam) Model P-Mentor airplanes. This AD was prompted by the failure of the pilot seat locking mechanism. This AD requires an initial and repetitive inspections of the seat rails of pilot and co-pilot seats and completing corrective action as needed. This AD includes an optional terminating action for the inspection requirement. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 174 (Thursday, September 11, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 174 (Thursday, September 11, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43907-43909]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17516]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-2266; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00406-A;
Amendment 39-23123; AD 2025-17-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.p.A.
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.p.A. (Tecnam) Model P-Mentor
airplanes. This AD was prompted by the failure of the pilot seat
locking mechanism. This AD requires an initial and repetitive
inspections of the seat rails of pilot and co-pilot seats and
completing corrective action as needed. This AD includes an optional
terminating action for the inspection requirement. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 26, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 26,
2025.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by October 27, 2025.
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-2025-2266; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For Tecnam material identified in this AD, contact Tecnam,
Via Maiorise, 81043 Capua CE, Italy; phone: +39 0823 622297; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#364253555e585f55575a1845434646594442760a57165e4453500b" http: tecnam.com">tecnam.com</a>">technical.support@<a href="http://tecnam.com">tecnam.com</a></a>; website: <a href="http://tecnam.com">tecnam.com</a>.
<bullet> You may view this material 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 <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-2266.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ramon Walker Perez, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (847) 294-7337; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cebcafa3a1a0e0afe0b9afa2a5abbce0beabbcabb48ea8afafe0a9a1b8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9eecfff3f1f0b0ffb0e9fff2f5fbecb0eefbecfbe4def8ffffb0f9f1e8">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments using a method listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-2266; Project
Identifier MCAI-2024-00406-A'' at the beginning of your comments. The
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule,
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing
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date and may amend this final rule 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 final rule.
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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Ramon
Walker Perez, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite
410, Westbury, NY 11590. 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 2024-0138, dated July 11, 2024 (also referred to as the MCAI),
to correct an unsafe condition on certain Tecnam Model P-Mentor
airplanes. The MCAI states there was a report of failure of the pilot
seat locking mechanism that could lead to the pilot seat unlocking
during flight, possibly resulting in loss of control of the airplane. A
subsequent inspection revealed interference between the leather
covering of the pilot seat and the seat locking lever. The MCAI
requires initial and repetitive inspections of the affected parts and
if any discrepancy as defined in the service material is detected
contacting Tecnam for repair instructions and accomplishing those
instructions accordingly. The MCAI also provides an optional
terminating action for the repetitive inspections.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-2266.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed TECNAM Service Bulletin SB 738-CS-Ed. 1, Rev. 2,
dated July 5, 2024 (TECNAM SB 738-CS-Ed. 1, Rev. 2). This material
specifies procedures for inspecting the P-Mentor seat rails.
The FAA also reviewed TECNAM Service Bulletin SB 748-CS-Ed 1, Rev.
0, dated April 22, 2024 (TECNAM SB 748-CS-Ed. 1, Rev. 0). This material
specifies the P-Mentor new seat design.
This material 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.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the civil 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, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI and material referenced above. The FAA is issuing
this AD after determining that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the
material already described, except as discussed under ``Differences
Between this AD and the Referenced Material.''
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Referenced Material
The MCAI specifies to contact the manufacturer for approved repair
instructions if it is determined during an inspection that there is any
discrepancy detected as described in the referenced service material.
This AD requires doing repairs in accordance with a method approved by
the FAA; EASA; or Tecnam's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If
approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized
signature.
The MCAI also specifies that the repetitive inspections of the
affected parts (pilot and co-pilot seats) may be accomplished by the
pilot-owner, but this AD does not allow the pilot-owner to do those
actions.
TECNAM SB 738-CS-Ed. 1, Rev. 2, specifies to report certain
information to the manufacturer. This AD does not require this
reporting.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C.
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
The FAA justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of
this rule because there are currently no domestic operators of this
product. It is unlikely that the FAA will receive any adverse comments
or useful information about this AD from any U.S. operator.
Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are
unnecessary, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b). In addition, for the
foregoing reason(s), the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and
comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
There are no costs of compliance with this AD because there are no
airplanes with this type certificate on the U.S. Registry.
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
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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, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
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
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:
2025-17-13 Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.p.A: Amendment 39-
23123; Docket No. FAA-2025-2266; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00406-
A.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 26,
2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.p.A.
(Tecnam) Model P-Mentor airplanes, serial numbers 1003 through 1056
inclusive, 1064 through 1075 inclusive, 1078 through 1082 inclusive,
1089, 1090, 1118, 1119, 1124, 1125, and 1126, except those having
Tecnam modification MOD2010/359 installed or TECNAM Service Bulletin
SB 748-CS-Ed. 1, Rev. 0, dated April 22, 2024 (TECNAM SB 748-CS-Ed.
1, Rev. 0), embodied.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2500, Cabin
Equipment/Furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the failure of the pilot seat locking
mechanism. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this unsafe
condition. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to the
pilot or co-pilot seat unlocking during flight, possibly resulting
in loss of control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Definitions
For the purpose of this AD, the definitions in paragraphs (g)(1)
and (2) of this AD apply.
(1) Affected parts: The seat rails of the pilot and co-pilot
seats.
(2) Reference material: TECNAM Service Bulletin SB 738-CS-Ed. 1,
Rev. 2, dated July 5, 2024 (TECNAM SB 738-CS-Ed. 1, Rev. 2).
(h) Required Actions
(1) Within 5 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 7 days, whichever
occurs first after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS, inspect each affected part in
accordance with Appendix A of the Accomplishment Instructions in
TECNAM SB 738-CS-Ed. 1, Rev. 2.
(2) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (h)(1) of
this AD, any discrepancy is detected as defined in Appendix A of the
Accomplishment Instructions in TECNAM SB 738-CS-Ed. 1, Rev. 2,
before further flight, repair the part in accordance with a method
approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; EASA;
or Tecnam's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by
the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(i) Optional Terminating Action
Modification of an airplane in accordance with the instructions
of TECNAM SB 748-CS-Ed. 1, Rev. 0, constitutes terminating action
for the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (h)(1) of this
AD for that airplane.
(j) No Reporting Requirement
Although TECNAM SB 738-CS-Ed. 1, Rev. 2, specifies to submit
information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that
action.
(k) Credit for Previous Actions
You may take credit for the actions required by paragraph (h)(1)
of this AD if you performed those actions before the effective date
of this AD using TECNAM SB-738-CS-Ed. 1, Rev. 0, or TECNAM SB-738-
CS-Ed. 1, Rev. 01.
(l) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(m) 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 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 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, send
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (n) of
this AD and email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dd9c90929e9dbbbcbcf3bab2ab"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d99894969a99bfb8b8f7beb6af">[email protected]</span></a>. 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.
(n) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Ramon Walker Perez,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (847) 294-7337; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5e2c3f333130703f70293f32353b2c702e3b2c3b241e383f3f70393128"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="651704080a0b4b044b1204090e00174b150017001f250304044b020a13">[email protected]</span></a>.
(o) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) TECNAM Service Bulletin SB 738-CS-Ed. 1, Rev. 2, dated July
5, 2024.
(ii) TECNAM Service Bulletin SB 748-CS-Ed 1, Rev. 0, dated April
22, 2024.
(3) For Tecnam material identified in this AD, contact
Costruzioni Aeronautiche S.p.A., Via Maiorise, 81043 Capua CE,
Italy; phone: +39 0823 622297; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3e4a5b5d5650575d5f52104d4b4e4e514c4a7e025f1e564c5b5803" http: tecnam.com">tecnam.com</a>">technical.support@<a href="http://tecnam.com">tecnam.com</a></a>;
website: <a href="http://tecnam.com">tecnam.com</a>.
(4) You may view this material 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 material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6305114d0a0d10130600170a0c0d230d0211024d040c15"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f29480dc9b9c81829791869b9d9cb29c938093dc959d84">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on August 26, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-17516 Filed 9-10-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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