AD 2020-15-19

This AD is effective August 19, 2020.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of August 19, 2020.

For service information identified in this AD, contact Pacific Aerospace Limited, Airport Road, Hamilton, Private Bag 3027, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand; phone: +64 7843 6144; fax: +64 843 6134; email: pacific@aerospace.co.nz; internet: www.aerospace.co.nz. You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2019-0566.

Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Standards Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: mike.kiesov@faa.gov.

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Pacific Aerospace Limited Model 750XL airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on August 6, 2019 (84 FR 38146). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition of the specified products and was prompted by MCAI AD DCA/750XL/31, dated July 5, 2018, issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of New Zealand. The MCAI states:

During a review of the installation of the aircraft main loom [part number] P/N 11-81021, possible ineffective sealing was identified for firewall wiring penetrations. DCA/750XL/31 is issued to mandate the instructions in Pacific Aerospace Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) PACSB/XL/101 issue 1, dated 9 May 2018, or later approved revision to improve the firewall sealing by installing new components (firewall penetration tubes, firesleeve and hose clips).

The CAA advised the design is non-compliant with regard to the fireproof requirements for firewalls. Ineffective sealant may fail to prevent fire propagation through the firewall, which could result in smoke or fire in the cockpit. The CAA issued the MCAI to correct this unsafe condition.

You may examine the MCAI on the internet at: https://www.regulations.gov by searching for FAA-2019-0566-0002.

The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

The FAA reviewed Pacific Aerospace Mandatory Service Bulletin PACSB/XL/101, Issue 1, dated May 9, 2018. The service information provides instructions for installing improved firewall sealing for wiring penetration looms and correcting any damaged or chafed looms. 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.

The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 22 products of U.S. registry. The FAA also estimates that it will take about 8 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $385 per product.

Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $23,430, or $1,065 per product.

According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all costs in our cost estimate.

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.

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.

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):