2021-04-06: Flight Compartment, Emergency Equipment

The Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: \n\n2021-04-06 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-21427; Docket No. FAA-2021-0049; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00033-A. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 12, 2021. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2510, Flight Compartment and 2560, Emergency Equipment. \n\n(e) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by a reportof a missing release bar retaining screw on a Harley-type buckle assembly installed on a harness shoulder strap. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address defective buckle assembly release bar screws. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of pilot restraint with consequent loss of airplane control or injuries to the crew. \n\n(f) Actions and Compliance \n\n\n\t(1) For airplanes with a Harley-type seat buckle assembly or buckle component listed in the Effectivity, paragraph 2.A., of IrvinGQ Limited Service Bulletin IGQSB033, Issue 2, dated December 2020 (IrvinGQ SB IGQSB033, Issue 2), before further flight after the effective date of this AD, inspect each seat buckle assembly on the front and rear seats (4 buckle assemblies total) for movement of the release bar retaining screws by following the Accomplishment Instructions, section 3.C.(1), of IrvinGQ SB IGQSB033, Issue 2. If there is any movement of a release bar retaining screw, before further flight, repair or replace the buckle assembly by following the Accomplishment Instructions, section 3.C.(2), of IrvinGQ SB IGQSB033 Issue 2. \n\t(2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a Harley-type buckle assembly or buckle component listed in the Effectivity, paragraph 2.A., of IrvinGQ SB IGQSB033 Issue 2, on the seat harness of any airplane unless it has been inspected as required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD. \n\n(g) Special Flight Permit \n\n\n\tA special flight permit may be issued with the following limitations: Operation in areas of known turbulence and aerobatic flight are prohibited. \n\n(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(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 certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in Related Information. \n\t(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. \n\n(i) Related Information \n\n\n\t(1) Refer to Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) AD HB-2021- 001-E, dated January 8, 2021, for more information. You may examine the FOCA AD at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0049. \n\t(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, Missouri 64106; phone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: doug.rudolph@faa.gov. \n\n(j) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporationby reference of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. \n\t(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(i) IrvinGQ Limited Service Bulletin IGQSB033, Issue 2, dated December 2020. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For IrvinGQ Limited service information identified in this AD, contact Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., CH-6371, Stans, Switzerland; phone: +41 848 24 7 365; email: aircraft.com">techsupport.ch@pilatus-aircraft.com; website: http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/. \n\t(4) You may view this service information at 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. \n\t(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: fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on February 4, 2021. Gaetano A. Sciortino, Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2021-02793 Filed 2-10-21; 11:15 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P