Proposed Rule2026-19972
Airworthiness Directives; Vulcanair S.p.A. Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
September 30, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Vulcanair S.p.A. Model P.68 and P.68B airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of fuel starvation that resulted in an uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown. This proposed AD would require, for certain airplanes, modification of the fuel level indicator and, for all airplanes, calibration of the fuel level indicator, installation of new quantity and warning placards, and updating the aircraft flight manual (AFM) and the aircraft maintenance manual (AMM). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 188 (Wednesday, September 30, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 30, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61797-61799]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19972]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 188 / Wednesday, September 30, 2026 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 61797]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-11794; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00242-A]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Vulcanair S.p.A. 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 Vulcanair S.p.A. Model P.68 and P.68B airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by a report of fuel starvation that resulted
in an uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown. This proposed AD would
require, for certain airplanes, modification of the fuel level
indicator and, for all airplanes, calibration of the fuel level
indicator, installation of new quantity and warning placards, and
updating the aircraft flight manual (AFM) and the aircraft maintenance
manual (AMM). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by November 16, 2026.
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-2026-11794; 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 NPRM, 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 Vulcanair S.p.A. material identified in this proposed
AD, contact Vulcanair S.p.A., via G. Pascoli, 7, 80026 Casoria (NA),
Italy; phone: +39 081 5918135; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c8a9a1babfa7babca0a1a6adbbbb88bebda4aba9a6a9a1bae6aba7a5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ed8c849f9a829f99858483889e9ead9b98818e8c838c849fc38e8280">[email protected]</span></a>;
website: <a href="http://support.vulcanair.com">support.vulcanair.com</a>.
<bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, 1100 Main, Kansas City, MO 64105. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ari Tretiak, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (202)
267-7897; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f697849fd893d8828493829f979db6909797d8919980"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4223302b6c276c363027362b2329022423236c252d34">[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 using a method listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-11794; Project
Identifier MCAI-2026-00242-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 Ari
Tretiak, 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 2026-0051, dated March 12, 2026 (EASA AD 2026-0051) (also
referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition on certain
Vulcanair S.p.A. Model P.68 and P.68B airplanes. The MCAI states that
an uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown was reported on a Vulcanair
S.p.A. Model P.68 airplane and that, in each fuel tank, the fuel
quantity was low, but above the unusable fuel quantity; consequently,
fuel starvation occurred on one engine. The MCAI also states that
Vulcanair issued a service bulletin to change the minimum fuel level
quantity for flight operation with new fuel level indicator placards
and new quantity and warning placards.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in engine power
loss, engine shutdown in flight, and reduced control of the airplane.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-11794.
[[Page 61798]]
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed the following service material:
<bullet> Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Service Bulletin No. 133
Rev. 2, dated March 27, 2024. This material specifies procedures for
modification of the airplane by replacing two analog resistive fuel
level indicators with active digital fuel level indicators and one dual
fuel level indicator with a new dual fuel level indicator.
<bullet> Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Mandatory Service Bulletin
No. 265 Rev. 0, dated January 8, 2026. This material specifies
procedures for modification of the fuel level indicator, calibration of
the fuel level indicator, installation of new quantity and warning
placards, and updating the AFM and AMM.
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 NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require, for certain airplanes, modification
of the fuel level indicator, and, for all airplanes, calibration of the
fuel level indicator, installation of new quantity and warning
placards, and updating the AFM and the AMM.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect four airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Modify and calibrate fuel level indicator 1 work-hours x $85 per hour $271 $356 $1,424
= $85.
Calibrate fuel level indicator........... 5 work-hours x 85 per hour 0 425 1,700
= 425.
Install quantity and warning placards.... 1 work-hour x 85 per hour = 157 242 968
85.
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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:
Vulcanair S.p.A.: Docket No. FAA-2026-11794; Project Identifier
MCAI-2026-00242-A.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by November 16, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Vulcanair S.p.A. Model P.68 and P.68B
airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 1 through
182.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 1100, Placards and
Markings; 2841, Fuel Quantity Indicator.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of fuel starvation that
resulted in an uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown. The FAA is
issuing this AD to prevent fuel starvation. The unsafe condition, if
not addressed, could result in engine power loss, engine shutdown in
flight, and reduced control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Definitions
(1) Group 1 airplanes are those having two main wing tanks
(total fuel capacity 108 gallons) or two main wing tanks and two
auxiliary wing tanks (total fuel capacity 153 gallons), and have not
embodied Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Service Bulletin No. 133
Rev. 2, dated March 27, 2024.
(2) Group 2 airplanes are those having two main wing tanks
(total fuel capacity 108 gallons) or two main wing tanks and two
[[Page 61799]]
auxiliary wing tanks (total fuel capacity 153 gallons), that have
embodied Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Service Bulletin No. 133
Rev. 2, dated March 27, 2024.
(3) Group 3 airplanes are all other airplanes that are not in
Group 1 or Group 2.
(4) Affected fuel level indicators are those having part number
(P/N) NOR7.361-1, NOR7.1037-2, NOR7.361-3, or NOR7.1037-3.
(h) Required Actions
(1) For Group 1 airplanes, within 2 months after the effective
date of this AD, perform the actions in either paragraph (h)(1)(i)
or (ii) of this AD:
(i) Modify and calibrate each affected fuel level indicator in
accordance with Part B of paragraph 2.1 of Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68
Variants Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 265 Rev. 0, dated January 8,
2026; or
(ii) Modify each affected fuel level indicator in accordance
with the Parts B, C, and D of paragraph 2 of Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68
Variants Service Bulletin No. 133 Rev. 2, dated March 27, 2024, and
then calibrate each affected fuel level indicator in accordance with
Part C of paragraph 2.1 of Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Mandatory
Service Bulletin No. 265 Rev. 0, dated January 8, 2026.
(2) For Group 2 airplanes: Within 2 months after the effective
date of this AD, calibrate the fuel level indicator in accordance
with Part C of paragraph 2.1 of Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 265 Rev. 0, dated January 8, 2026.
(3) For Group 1 and Group 2 airplanes, before further flight
after the actions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (2) of this AD:
(i) Install new quantity and warning placards in accordance with
paragraph 2.2 of Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Mandatory Service
Bulletin No. 265 Rev. 0, dated January 8, 2026.
(ii) Update the aircraft flight manual and aircraft maintenance
manual in accordance with paragraph 2.2 of Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68
Variants Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 265 Rev. 0, dated January 8,
2026.
(4) For Group 3 airplanes: Within 2 months after the effective
date of this AD, do all necessary actions in accordance with a
method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch,
FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Vulcanair's
EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(i) Parts Installation Limitations
(1) For Group 1 airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD,
no person may install, on any airplane, an affected fuel level
indicator, unless it has been modified and calibrated in accordance
with the requirements of paragraph (h)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD.
(2) For Group 2 airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD,
no person may install, on any airplane, an affected fuel level
indicator, unless it has been calibrated in accordance with the
requirements of paragraph (h)(2) of this AD.
(3) For Group 2 airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD,
no person may calibrate an affected fuel level indicator unless that
calibration is accomplished in accordance with the requirements of
paragraph (h)(2) of this AD.
(4) For Group 1 airplanes, as of the effective date of this AD,
no airplane may be modified using the actions specified in Vulcanair
S.p.A. P.68 Variants Service Bulletin No. 133 Rev. 2, dated March
27, 2024, unless the fuel level indicator is calibrated before
further flight after that modification in accordance with Vulcanair
S.p.A. P.68 Variants Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 265 Rev. 0,
dated January 8, 2026.
(j) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the
actions of this AD can be performed, provided that fuel quantity in
any tank does not drop below one-quarter capacity, including during
taxi.
(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) 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 (l) of
this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1455595b57547275753a737b62"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7534383a36351314145b121a03">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) 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.
(l) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Ari Tretiak,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (202) 267-7897; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f697849fd893d8828493829f979db6909797d8919980"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0b6a7962256e257f796e7f626a604b6d6a6a256c647d">[email protected]</span></a>.
(m) 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) Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Service Bulletin No. 133 Rev.
2, dated March 27, 2024.
(ii) Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Mandatory Service Bulletin
No. 265 Rev. 0, dated January 8, 2026.
Note 1 to paragraph (m)(2): Only the first page of the documents
in paragraphs (m)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD contain the document
date.
(3) For Vulcanair S.p.A. material identified in this AD, contact
Vulcanair S.p.A., via G. Pascoli, 7, 80026 Casoria (NA), Italy;
phone: +39 081 5918135; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7819110a0f170a0c1011161d0b0b380e0d141b191619110a561b1715"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3b5a52494c54494f5352555e48487b4d4e57585a555a524915585456">[email protected]</span></a>; website:
<a href="http://support.vulcanair.com">support.vulcanair.com</a>.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, 1100 Main, Kansas City, MO 64105. 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#c9afbbe7a0a7bab9acaabda0a6a789a7a8bba8e7aea6bf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c5a3b7ebacabb6b5a0a6b1acaaab85aba4b7a4eba2aab3">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on September 25, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-19972 Filed 9-29-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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