Rule2024-15529
Airworthiness Directives; Various Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
July 16, 2024
Effective
August 20, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various airplanes modified with a certain configuration of the Garmin GFC 500 Autopilot System installed per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SA01866WI. This AD was prompted by a report of an un- commanded automatic pitch trim runaway when the autopilot was first engaged. This AD requires updating the applicable Garmin GFC 500 Autopilot System software for your airplane and prohibits installing earlier versions of that software. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 136 (Tuesday, July 16, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 16, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57721-57725]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-15529]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1990; Project Identifier AD-2023-00734-A;
Amendment 39-22784; AD 2024-14-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Various Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
various airplanes modified with a certain configuration of the Garmin
GFC 500 Autopilot System installed per Supplemental Type Certificate
(STC) No. SA01866WI. This AD was prompted by a report of an un-
commanded automatic pitch trim runaway when the autopilot was first
engaged. This AD requires updating the applicable Garmin GFC 500
Autopilot System software for your airplane and prohibits installing
earlier versions of that software. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
[[Page 57722]]
DATES: This AD is effective August 20, 2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1990; 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, 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Withers, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1801 S Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (316)
946-4190; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b0d3d8c2d9c3c4dfc0d8d5c29ed49ec7d9c4d8d5c2c3f0d6d1d19ed7dfc6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="95f6fde7fce6e1fae5fdf0e7bbf1bbe2fce1fdf0e7e6d5f3f4f4bbf2fae3">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 various airplanes
modified with a certain configuration of the Garmin GFC 500 Autopilot
System installed per STC No. SA01866WI. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on October 10, 2023 (88 FR 69891). The NPRM was
prompted by a report of an un-commanded automatic pitch trim runaway
when the autopilot was first engaged. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to
require updating the applicable Garmin GFC 500 Autopilot System
software for your airplane and prohibit installing earlier versions of
that software.
The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to various
airplanes modified with a certain configuration of the Garmin GFC 500
Autopilot System installed per STC No. SA01866WI. The SNPRM published
in the Federal Register on April 17, 2024 (89 FR 27398). The SNPRM was
prompted by comments received on the NPRM. The SNPRM proposed to revise
the applicability by removing certain airplane models and adding other
airplane models, revised paragraph (e) of the proposed AD to clarify
that certain hardware failures affected the primary pitch servo and
added Note 1 to paragraph (g) of the proposed AD. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address autopilot software that does not properly handle
certain hardware failures of the primary pitch servo. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in un-commanded automatic
pitch trim runaway and loss of control of the airplane.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received one comment from the National Transportation
Safety Board (NTSB). The NTSB supported the SNPRM without change.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting the AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. This AD is adopted as proposed in the
SNPRM.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 5,900 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Update autopilot software................ 1 work-hour x $85 per hour $0 $85 $501,500
= $85.
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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
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:
2024-14-03 Various Airplanes: Amendment 39-22784; Docket No. FAA-
2023-1990; Project Identifier AD-2023-00734-A.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 20, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
[[Page 57723]]
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all airplane models specified in Table 1 to
paragraph (c) of this AD, certificated in any category, having a
Garmin GFC 500 Autopilot System that includes an optional GSA 28
pitch trim servo installed per Supplemental Type Certificate No.
SA01866WI using Master Drawing List 005-01264-00, Revisions 1
through 76.
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
Table 1 to Paragraph (c)--Applicable Airplane Models
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR16JY24.018
[[Page 57724]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR16JY24.019
BILLING CODE 4910-13-C
[[Page 57725]]
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2210, Autopilot
System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of an un-commanded automatic
pitch trim runaway when the autopilot was first engaged. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address autopilot software that does not properly
handle certain hardware failures of the primary pitch servo. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in un-commanded
automatic pitch trim runaway and loss of control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Action
Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, update the
Garmin GFC 500 Autopilot System software applicable to your airplane
to a version that is not 8.01 or earlier for the G5, not version
9.01 or earlier for the G3X Touch, and not version 2.59 or earlier
for the GI 275.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): The software update can be done using
Garmin Mandatory STC Service Bulletin 22123, Rev A, dated January 3,
2023. This AD also allows the installation of versions other than
those listed in Garmin Mandatory STC Service Bulletin 22123, Rev A,
dated January 3, 2023, provided those versions are not listed in
paragraph (g) of this AD.
(h) Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, do not install Garmin GFC
500 Autopilot System Software that is version 8.01 or earlier for
the G5, version 9.01 or earlier for the G3X Touch, or version 2.59
or earlier for the GI 275, on any airplane.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Central Certification 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 Central Certification Branch, send it
to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of
this AD. Information may be emailed to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b6c1dfd5dedfc2d79bd5d9c5f6d0d7d798d1d9c0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="66110f050e0f12074b0509152600070748010910">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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.
(j) Additional Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Christopher
Withers, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1801 S Airport Road,
Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (316) 946-4190; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4b28233922383f243b232e39652f653c223f232e39380b2d2a2a652c243d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="35565d475c46415a455d50471b511b425c415d504746755354541b525a43">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) For material identified in this AD that is not incorporated
by reference, contact Garmin International, Attention: Garmin
Aviation Support, 1200 E 151st Street, Olathe, KS 66062; phone:
(866) 739-5687; website: <a href="http://support.garmin.com/en-US/aviation/">support.garmin.com/en-US/aviation/</a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued on July 10, 2024.
James D. Foltz,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-15529 Filed 7-15-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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