[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 4, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49215-49218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-19777]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 211 / Tuesday, November 4, 2025 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 49215]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-3994; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01607-A;
Amendment 39-23179; AD 2025-21-51]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Polskie Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze Sp. z
o.o. Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Polskie Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. Model PZL M28 05 airplanes.
The FAA previously sent this AD as an emergency AD to all known U.S.
owners and operators of these airplanes. This AD was prompted by damage
found in Frame No. 29 and rudder control unit mounting components on
Frame No. 29. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the rudder
control system mounting bracket attachment components to Frame No. 29
for loose or damaged bolts and the components of Frame No. 29 for
cracks and damage, and corrective actions if necessary. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective November 19, 2025. Emergency AD 2025-21-51,
issued on October 15, 2025, which contains the requirements of this
amendment, was effective with actual notice.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication identified in this AD as of November
19, 2025.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by December 19, 2025.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
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.
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 regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-3994; 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
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For Polskie Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. material
identified in this AD, contact Polskie Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze Sp. z
o.o., Wojska Polskiego 3, 39-300 Mielec, Poland; phone: +48 17 743
1901; email: [email protected]; website: pzlmielec.pl.
You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City,
MO 64106. 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-2025-3994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (816) 329-4059; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments using a method listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-3994; Project
Identifier MCAI-2025-01607-A'' at the beginning of your comments. The
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule,
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 final rule 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
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this final rule.
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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Doug
Rudolph, 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 FAA issued Emergency AD 2025-21-51, dated October 15, 2025 (the
emergency AD), to address an unsafe condition on Polskie Zak[lstrok]ady
Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. Model PZL M28 05 airplanes, all serial numbers. The
FAA sent the emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of
these airplanes. The emergency AD requires a one-time inspection of the
rudder control system mounting bracket attachment components to Frame
No. 29 for loose or damaged bolts and the components of Frame No. 29
for cracks and damage, and corrective actions if necessary.
The emergency AD was prompted by Emergency AD 2025-0221-E, dated
October 10, 2025, issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA), which is the Technical Agent
[[Page 49216]]
for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 2025-0221-E) (also
referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition on Polskie
Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. Models PZL M28 02 (including PZL M28
02-W variant) and PZL M28 05 airplanes, all serial numbers. The MCAI
states that damage was found in Frame No. 29 and rudder control unit
mounting components on Frame No. 29. The emergency AD was prompted by a
report of cracked bolts that attach the rudder control unit mounting
bracket to Frame No. 29. This resulted in the loss of two out of the
four bolts on a structural component in the rudder flight control
system. The emergency AD is intended to detect and correct cracked
bolts and structure that attach the rudder control unit mounting
bracket to Frame No. 29. This condition, if not addressed, could result
in loss of the bolts that attach structural components to the rudder
flight control system, and consequent loss of rudder control and
reduced control of the airplane. 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-2025-3994.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Polskie Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. Service
Bulletin No. E/12.152/2025, dated October 9, 2025 (Polskie
Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. SB E/12.152/2025). This material
specifies procedures for a one-time visual inspection of the rudder
control system mounting bracket attachment components to Frame No. 29
for loose or damaged (e.g., cracked, corroded, or deformed) bolts and
nuts and the components of Frame No. 29 for damage (e.g., cracks,
corrosion, or deformation). This material also specifies replacing any
damaged (e.g., cracked, corroded, or deformed) bolts and nuts,
correcting any looseness found, and repairing any damaged (e.g.,
cracked, corroded, or deformed) components.
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 AD after determining that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in Polskie
Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. SB E/12.152/2025, except as
discussed under ``Differences Between this AD and the MCAI and
Referenced Material.''
Differences Between This AD, the Emergency AD, and the MCAI and
Referenced Material
The MCAI applies to Polskie Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o.
Model PZL M28 02-W airplanes, but this AD and the emergency AD do not
because this model does not have an FAA type certificate.
Polskie Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. SB E/12.152/2025 states
to contact Polskie Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. if there is any
damage beyond the damaged bolts and nuts, i.e., damaged bracket
28.00.5302.250.000 or elements of Frame No. 29. This AD and the
emergency AD require repairs using a method approved by the Manager,
International Validation Branch, FAA; EASA; or Polskie Zak[lstrok]ady
Lotnicze Sp. z o.o.'s EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If
approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized
signature.
This AD and the emergency AD require performing a cable tension and
rudder rigging inspection if damage is found where the MCAI and Polskie
Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. SB E/12.152/2025 do not.
This AD and the emergency AD require performing an inspection with
10x magnification with a high-powered light where the MCAI and Polskie
Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. SB E/12.152/2025 do not.
Interim Action
The FAA considers that this AD is an interim action. Investigation
into the root cause of this unsafe condition is ongoing. When the
investigation is complete and further corrective actions are
identified, the FAA may consider additional rulemaking action.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C.
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD to all known U.S. owners and operators of these airplanes. The
FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies forgoing
notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because loose or
cracked bolts on a structural element in the rudder flight control
system could result in loss of rudder control and reduced control of
the airplane. Because the root cause is unknown, this situation could
occur at any time without notice, and inspection must be done before
further flight. This compliance time is shorter than the time necessary
for the public to comment and for the publication of the final rule.
Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are
impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
553(b).
In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days,
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forego notice and
comment.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and
comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects nine airplanes of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 49217]]
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect Frame No. 29 and rudder flight 1 work-hour x $85 per hour $0 $85 $765
control unit mounting components. = $85.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft
that might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace damaged bolts and nuts................. 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.. $100 $185
Inspect cable tension and rudder rigging....... 3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255 0 255
Report bolt and nut damage..................... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.. 0 85
Repair damage beyond bolts and nuts............ 5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $425 10,000 10,425
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. Any
damage detected beyond the nuts and bolts will vary with aircraft and
the FAA cannot provide an estimate of the on-condition repair cost.
Paperwork Reduction Act
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Information Collection
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.
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, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
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
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:
2025-21-51 Polskie Zaklady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o: Amendment 39-23179;
Docket No. FAA-2025-3994; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01607-A.
(a) Effective Date
The FAA issued Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-21-51
on October 15, 2025, directly to affected owners and operators. As a
result of such actual notice, that emergency AD was effective for
those owners and operators on the date it was received. This AD
contains the same requirements as the emergency AD and, for those
who did not receive actual notice, is effective on November 19, 2025
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Polskie Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze Sp. z
o.o. Model PZL M28 05 airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2720, Rudder Control
System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of cracked bolts that attach
the rudder control unit mounting bracket to Frame No. 29, which
resulted in the loss of two out of the four bolts on a structural
component in the rudder flight control system. The FAA is issuing
this AD to detect and correct damaged bolts/nuts and structure that
attach
[[Page 49218]]
the rudder control unit mounting bracket to Frame No. 29. This
condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of the bolts that
attach structural components to the rudder flight control system,
and consequent loss of rudder control and reduced control of the
airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Definitions
For the purpose of this AD, the following definitions apply:
(1) Affected parts: Frame No. 29 and rudder flight control unit
mounting components on Frame No. 29.
(2) The Service Bulletin (SB): Polskie Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze
Sp. z o.o. Service Bulletin No. E/12.152/2025, dated October 9,
2025.
(h) Required Actions
(1) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD,
inspect each affected part for looseness or damage (e.g., cracks,
corrosion, or deformation) in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3)
of Section III of the SB specified in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD.
For this inspection, thoroughly clean the area and use a 10x
magnification with a high-powered light.
(2) If any looseness or damage is found in the bolts, nuts, or
components during the inspection required by paragraph (h)(1) of
this AD, before further flight, replace or correct the affected
parts in accordance with paragraph (2) of Section III of the SB
specified in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD.
(3) If any damage is found during the inspection required by
paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, do the following:
(i) If damage is found on the bolts and nuts only, within 10
days after the inspection or 10 days after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs later, report the damage to Polskie
Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. and perform a cable tension and
rudder rigging inspection.
(ii) If damage is found beyond bolts and nuts as specified in
paragraph (4) of Section III of the SB specified in paragraph (g)(2)
of this AD, before further flight, repair using a method approved by
the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Polskie Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze
Sp. z o.o.'s EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA); and perform a
cable tension and rudder rigging inspection. If approved by the DOA,
the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(i) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(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)(1) of
this AD and email to: [email protected]. 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.
(k) Additional Information
(1) 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:
[email protected].
(2) For Polskie Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. material
identified in this AD, contact Wojska Polskiego 3, 39-300 Mielec,
Poland; phone: +48 17 743 1901; email: [email protected];
website: pzlmielec.pl.
(l) 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.
(3) The following material was approved for IBR on November 19,
2025.
(i) Polskie Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. Service Bulletin
No. E/12.152/2025, dated October 9, 2025.
(ii) [Reserved]
(4) For Polskie Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. material
identified in this AD, contact Polskie Zak[lstrok]ady Lotnicze Sp. z
o.o., Wojska Polskiego 3, 39-300 Mielec, Poland; phone: +48 17 743
1901; email: [email protected]; website: pzlmielec.pl.
(5) You may view this material at FAA, Airworthiness Products
Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(6) 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 [email protected].
Issued on October 31, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-19777 Filed 10-31-25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P