Federal Register #2026-09771

FAA Proposed Airworthiness Directives for Pilatus PC-12/47E and Stemme S 12 Aircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under the Department of Transportation, is proposing airworthiness directives (ADs) for specific aircraft models to address critical safety concerns: - Government Buyer: - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation - Aircraft Certification Service, Compliance & Airworthiness Division - OEMs and Vendors Mentioned: - Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (OEM for PC-12/47E airplanes) - Stemme GmbH (OEM for Stemme S 12 gliders) - European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (referenced for compliance material) - Products/Services Requested: - For Pilatus PC-12/47E airplanes (serial numbers 2001–2999): - Inspection of the passenger service unit (PSU) trim panel for proper installation of dual lock fastener tapes - Modification of the PSU trim panel if necessary to ensure emergency exit accessibility - Prohibition on installing affected PSU trim panel parts - Estimated 276 inspections required - For Stemme S 12 gliders: - Inspection and replacement of copper sealing rings (P/N D760312016CU) with sealing ring P/N 831984 to prevent fuel leakage and potential in-flight fire - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Compliance with EASA AD 2025-0182 for Pilatus aircraft, with FAA-specific exceptions and clarifications - Mandatory inspection and possible modification to ensure emergency exit doors are not blocked - Regulatory compliance action—no direct procurement of goods or services by the government - Open for public comment - Locations: - FAA Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1100 Main, Kansas City, MO - FAA Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY - Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC

Description

The FAA is revising a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would have applied to certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-12 airplanes by changing the applicability to Model PC12/47E airplanes. This airworthiness directive (AD) addresses an unsafe condition where the emergency exit door could be blocked from opening due to incorrect installation of the passenger service unit (PSU) trim panel. The FAA proposes inspections and modifications to prevent this condition, which could result in injury during an emergency evacuation. Comments on this supplemental NPRM are requested by June 29, 2026.

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