AD 2026-17-11

58364 Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 177 / Tuesday, September 15, 2026 / Rules and Regulations commuting area ( e.g., a directed reassignment or change in duty station). * * * * * [FR Doc. 2026–18800 Filed 9–14–26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6325–39–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2026–4632; Project Identifier MCAI–2026–00036–A; Amendment 39–23455; AD 2026–17–11] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes AGENCY : Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION : Final rule. SUMMARY : The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC– 24 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that a solid-state relay (SSR) used in the left-hand (LH) windshield heating system may allow reverse current flow when in the OFF position. This AD requires modification of the airplane and replacement of the affected SSR with a serviceable part. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES : This AD is effective October 20, 2026. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 20, 2026. ADDRESSES : AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2026–4632; 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 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. Material Incorporated by Reference: • For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. • You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1100 Main, Kansas City, MO 64105. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2026–4632. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT : Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 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 Pilatus Model PC–24 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on May 13, 2026 (91 FR 26949). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2026–0008, dated January 15, 2026 (EASA AD 2026–0008) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI states that the PC–24 windshield de-fog (low power windshield heating) is switched ON and OFF by an SSR. The affected part allows current to flow in reverse direction when it is in the OFF position. If, during a dual generator failure, the emergency windshield heat button is pushed, the batteries power the windshield heating. The batteries also power the electrical power distribution units (EPDU) 1 and 3 via the affected part. A reversal of current flow could cause the function of the emergency windshield heat to fail when required. As a result, the LH side window may not be fully de-fogged, and ice may not be cleared from either the LH or the right-hand windshield. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require modification of the airplane and replacement of the affected SSR with a serviceable part. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2026–4632. Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive Comments The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the costs. Conclusion 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 referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator. Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51 The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2026– 0008, which specifies procedures for replacement of the LH windshield heating SSR with a serviceable part. 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. Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this AD affects 168 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD: E STIMATED C OSTS Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators Replace SSR and cables (125 airplanes) .......... 5 work-hours × $85 per hour = $425 ................. $1,032 $1,457 $182,125 Replace SSR (43 airplanes) ............................... 2.5 work-hours × $85 per hour = $212.50 ......... 32 244.50 10,513.50 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:45 Sep 14, 2026 Jkt 268001 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\15SER1.SGM 15SER1 lotter on DSK8BHNXB4PROD with RULES1

58365 Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 177 / Tuesday, September 15, 2026 / Rules and Regulations The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected operators. 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 that 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. § 39.13 [Amended] ■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2026–17–11 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39–23455; Docket No. FAA–2026–4632; Project Identifier MCAI–2026–00036–A. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 20, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC–24 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2026–0008, dated January 15, 2026 (EASA AD 2026–0008). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3040, Windshield/Door Rain/Ice Removal. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report that a solid-state relay used in the left-hand windshield heating system may allow reverse current flow when in the OFF position. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the emergency windshield heat function. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a failure of the emergency windshield heat function, which could result in the loss of outside visibility. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2026–0008. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2026–0008 (1) Where EASA AD 2026–0008 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) This AD does not adopt the ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD 2026–0008. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2026–0008 specifies to submit certain information, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) 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 (k) of this AD and email to: AMOC@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office/certificate holding district office. (k) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (816) 329– 4059; email: doug.rudolph@faa.gov. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2026–0008, dated January 15, 2026. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 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 www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on August 21, 2026. Paul R. Bernado, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026–18848 Filed 9–14–26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2025–3987; Project Identifier AD–2025–00017–R; Amendment 39–23466; AD 2026–19–01] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, LLC Helicopters AGENCY : Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION : Final rule. SUMMARY : The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024–23– VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:45 Sep 14, 2026 Jkt 268001 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\15SER1.SGM 15SER1 lotter on DSK8BHNXB4PROD with RULES1