Airworthiness Directives: Vulcanair S.p.A. Airplanes

Airworthiness Directives; Vulcanair S.p.A. Airplanes

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed under ADDRESSES . Include "Docket No. FAA-2026-11794; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00242-A" at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 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 proposal 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 NPRM.

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 NPRM 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 NPRM, 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 NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Ari Tretiak, 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 European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2026-0051, dated March 12, 2026 (EASA AD 2026-0051) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition on certain Vulcanair S.p.A. Model P.68 and P.68B airplanes. The MCAI states that an uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown was reported on a Vulcanair S.p.A. Model P.68 airplane and that, in each fuel tank, the fuel quantity was low, but above the unusable fuel quantity; consequently, fuel starvation occurred on one engine. The MCAI also states that Vulcanair issued a service bulletin to change the minimum fuel level quantity for flight operation with new fuel level indicator placards and new quantity and warning placards.

This condition, if not corrected, could result in engine power loss, engine shutdown in flight, and reduced control of the airplane.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-11794.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed the following service material:

• Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Service Bulletin No. 133 Rev. 2, dated March 27, 2024. This material specifies procedures for modification of the airplane by replacing two analog resistive fuel level indicators with active digital fuel level indicators and one dual fuel level indicator with a new dual fuel level indicator.
• Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 265 Rev. 0, dated January 8, 2026. This material specifies procedures for modification of the fuel level indicator, calibration of the fuel level indicator, installation of new quantity and warning placards, and updating the AFM and AMM.

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 NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

This proposed AD would require, for certain airplanes, modification of the fuel level indicator, and, for all airplanes, calibration of the fuel level indicator, installation of new quantity and warning placards, and updating the AFM and the AMM.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect four airplanes of U.S. registry.

The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

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

The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed regulation:

(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866,

(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

The Proposed Amendment

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

PART 39-AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

Vulcanair S.p.A.: Docket No. FAA-2026-11794; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00242-A.

(a) Comments Due Date

The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by November 16, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Vulcanair S.p.A. Model P.68 and P.68B airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 1 through 182.

(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 1100, Placards and Markings; 2841, Fuel Quantity Indicator.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by a report of fuel starvation that resulted in an uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent fuel starvation. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in engine power loss, engine shutdown in flight, and reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(g) Definitions

(1) Group 1 airplanes are those having two main wing tanks (total fuel capacity 108 gallons) or two main wing tanks and two auxiliary wing tanks (total fuel capacity 153 gallons), and have not embodied Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Service Bulletin No. 133 Rev. 2, dated March 27, 2024.

(2) Group 2 airplanes are those having two main wing tanks (total fuel capacity 108 gallons) or two main wing tanks and two auxiliary wing tanks (total fuel capacity 153 gallons), that have embodied Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Service Bulletin No. 133 Rev. 2, dated March 27, 2024.

(3) Group 3 airplanes are all other airplanes that are not in Group 1 or Group 2.

(4) Affected fuel level indicators are those having part number (P/N) NOR7.361-1, NOR7.1037-2, NOR7.361-3, or NOR7.1037-3.

(h) Required Actions

(1) For Group 1 airplanes, within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, perform the actions in either paragraph (h)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD:

(i) Modify and calibrate each affected fuel level indicator in accordance with Part B of paragraph 2.1 of Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 265 Rev. 0, dated January 8, 2026; or

(ii) Modify each affected fuel level indicator in accordance with the Parts B, C, and D of paragraph 2 of Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Service Bulletin No. 133 Rev. 2, dated March 27, 2024, and then calibrate each affected fuel level indicator in accordance with Part C of paragraph 2.1 of Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 265 Rev. 0, dated January 8, 2026.

(2) For Group 2 airplanes: Within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, calibrate the fuel level indicator in accordance with Part C of paragraph 2.1 of Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 265 Rev. 0, dated January 8, 2026.

(3) For Group 1 and Group 2 airplanes, before further flight after the actions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (2) of this AD:

(i) Install new quantity and warning placards in accordance with paragraph 2.2 of Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 265 Rev. 0, dated January 8, 2026.

(ii) Update the aircraft flight manual and aircraft maintenance manual in accordance with paragraph 2.2 of Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 265 Rev. 0, dated January 8, 2026.

(4) For Group 3 airplanes: Within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, do all necessary actions in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Vulcanair's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(i) Parts Installation Limitations

(1) For Group 1 airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on any airplane, an affected fuel level indicator, unless it has been modified and calibrated in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (h)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD.

(2) For Group 2 airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on any airplane, an affected fuel level indicator, unless it has been calibrated in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (h)(2) of this AD.

(3) For Group 2 airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD, no person may calibrate an affected fuel level indicator unless that calibration is accomplished in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (h)(2) of this AD.

(4) For Group 1 airplanes, as of the effective date of this AD, no airplane may be modified using the actions specified in Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Service Bulletin No. 133 Rev. 2, dated March 27, 2024, unless the fuel level indicator is calibrated before further flight after that modification in accordance with Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 265 Rev. 0, dated January 8, 2026.

(j) Special Flight Permits

Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the actions of this AD can be performed, provided that fuel quantity in any tank does not drop below one-quarter capacity, including during taxi.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(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 International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l) of this AD and email to: [email protected].

(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.

(l) Additional Information

For more information about this AD, contact Ari Tretiak, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (202) 267-7897; email: [email protected].

(m) 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.

(i) Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Service Bulletin No. 133 Rev. 2, dated March 27, 2024.

(ii) Vulcanair S.p.A. P.68 Variants Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 265 Rev. 0, dated January 8, 2026.

Note 1 to paragraph (m)(2): Only the first page of the documents in paragraphs (m)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD contain the document date.

(3) For Vulcanair S.p.A. material identified in this AD, contact Vulcanair S.p.A., via G. Pascoli, 7, 80026 Casoria (NA), Italy; phone: +39 081 5918135; email: [email protected]; website: support.vulcanair.com.

(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, 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 [email protected].

[FR Doc. 2026-19972 Filed 9-29-26; 8:45 am]

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