Proposed Rule2026-01265
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
January 23, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-11-05, which applies to all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-24 airplanes. AD 2023-11-05 requires revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-11-05, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the ALS of the existing AMM or ICA for your airplane. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 15 (Friday, January 23, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 15 (Friday, January 23, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2882-2885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01265]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-0022; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01575-A]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2023-11-05, which applies to all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model
PC-24 airplanes. AD 2023-11-05 requires revising the airworthiness
limitations section (ALS) of the existing aircraft maintenance manual
(AMM) or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) to incorporate
new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued
AD 2023-11-05, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive
airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require
revising the ALS of the existing AMM or ICA for your airplane. The FAA
is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by March 9, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> 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 <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket
[[Page 2883]]
No. FAA-2026-0022; 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 NPRM, 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:
<bullet> For European Union Aviation Agency (EASA) material
identified in this NPRM, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3b7a7f487b5e5a485a155e4e49544b5a155e4e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5d1c192e1d383c2e3c7338282f322d3c733828">[email protected]</span></a>;
website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website
at ad.easa.europa.eu.
<bullet> 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (816) 329-4059; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bbdfd4cedc95c9cedfd4d7cbd3fbdddada95dcd4cd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9bfff4eefcb5e9eefff4f7ebf3dbfdfafab5fcf4ed">[email protected]</span></a>.
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-2026-0022; Project Identifier
MCAI-2025-01575-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
the 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
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, 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 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 AD 2023-11-05, Amendment 39-22451 (88 FR 38382, June
13, 2023) (AD 2023-11-05), for all Pilatus Model PC-24 airplanes. AD
2023-11-05 was prompted by an MCAI originated by EASA, which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA
issued EASA AD 2022-0207, dated October 10, 2022, (EASA AD 2022-0207)
to correct an unsafe condition identified as a failure to revise the
ALS of the existing AMM by introducing new or more restrictive tasks
and limitations, including a new certification maintenance requirement
task to inspect and test aileron trim and rudder trim actuators, new
nose landing gear assembly and drag stay inspections and life limits,
and revisions to various fuselage section inspection intervals. The
MCAI states that these instructions have been identified as mandatory
for continued airworthiness, and failure to accomplish them could
result in an unsafe condition.
AD 2023-11-05 requires revising the ALS of the existing AMM or ICA
to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The
FAA issued AD 2023-11-05 to address failure of certain parts, which
could result in loss of control of the airplane.
Actions Since AD 2023-11-05 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2023-11-05, EASA superseded EASA AD 2022-
0207 and issued EASA AD 2025-0211, dated September 26, 2025 (EASA AD
2025-0211) (also referred to as the MCAI), for all Pilatus Model PC-24
airplanes. The MCAI states that new or more restrictive tasks and
limitations have been developed. These include revisions to various
fuselage section inspection intervals and aileron and rudder trim
actuator inspection intervals. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
failure of certain parts, which could result in loss of control of the
airplane.
Additionally, the actions required to address the unsafe condition
in AD 2023-11-05 are included in ``the applicable ALS,'' as defined in
EASA AD 2025-0211.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0022.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0211, which specifies procedures for
revising the aircraft maintenance program (AMP) by incorporating
airworthiness limitations, tasks, and associated thresholds and
intervals, including life limits and maintenance tasks. EASA AD 2025-
0211 also specifies doing corrective actions if any discrepancy (as
defined in ``the applicable ALS'' as defined in EASA AD 2025-0211) is
found during accomplishment of any task in paragraph (1) of EASA AD
2025-0211 and revising the aircraft maintenance program (AMP) by
incorporating the limitations, tasks, and associated thresholds and
intervals described in ``the applicable ALS'' as defined in EASA AD
2025-0211.
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 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 retain none of the requirements of 2023-11-
05. This proposed AD would require revising the ALS of the existing AMM
or ICA for your airplane and the existing approved maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating new or more
restrictive actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including
any
[[Page 2884]]
life limits, specified in EASA AD 2025-0211, described previously, as
incorporated by reference, except for any differences identified as
exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. See
``Differences Between this NPRM and the MCAI'' for a discussion of the
general differences included in this proposed AD.
The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot
certificate may revise the ALS of the existing AMM or ICA for your
airplane, and performance of this incorporation must be entered into
the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with
14 CFR 43.9(a) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be
maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI
Where EASA AD 2025-0211 specifies revising the approved AMP within
12 months after the effective date of EASA AD 2025-0211, this proposed
AD would require revising the ALS of the existing approved maintenance
or inspection program, as applicable, within 30 days after the
effective date of this proposed AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has since
coordinated with other manufacturers and CAAs to use this process. As a
result, the FAA proposes to incorporate by reference EASA AD 2025-0211
in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require
compliance with EASA AD 2025-0211 in its entirety through that
incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in
the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common terms that are
the same as the heading of a particular section in the EASA AD does not
mean that operators need comply only with that section. For example,
where the AD requirement refers to ``all required actions and
compliance times,'' compliance with this AD requirement is not limited
to the section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in
EASA AD 2025-0211. Service information required by the EASA AD for
compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-
2026-0022 after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 167 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Revise the ALS........................ 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $14,195
hour = $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
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 that the 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
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
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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2023-11-05, Amendment 39-22451 (88
FR 38382, June 13, 2023); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. FAA-2026-0022; Project Identifier
MCAI-2025-01575-A.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by March 9, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2023-11-05, Amendment 39-22451 (88 FR 38382,
June 13, 2023) (AD 2023-11-05).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Model PC-24 airplanes,
all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Codes 2710, Aileron
Control System; 2720, Rudder Control System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a revision to the airworthiness
limitations section (ALS) of the existing aircraft maintenance
manual (AMM) introducing new and more restrictive instructions and
maintenance tasks. These include revisions to various fuselage
section inspection intervals and aileron and rudder trim actuator
inspection intervals. The FAA
[[Page 2885]]
is issuing this AD to ensure revision of the ALS of the existing AMM
or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) for your airplane.
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of
certain parts, which could result in loss of control of the
airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD:
Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in,
and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD
2025-0211, dated September 26, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0211).
(2) The actions required by this AD may be performed by the
owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate
and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance
with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v).
The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380,
or 135.439.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0211
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0211 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt paragraphs (1), (2), (4), and (5) of
EASA AD 2025-0211.
(3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0211 specifies ``Within
12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the approved
AMP,'' this AD requires replacing that text with ``Within 30 days
after the effective date of this AD, revise the airworthiness
limitations section of your existing aircraft maintenance manual or
instructions for continued airworthiness and your existing approved
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable.''
(4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0211 is on or before the applicable
limitations and associated thresholds as incorporated by the
requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0211 or within 30 days
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0211.
(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals
After the action required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD has
been done, no alternative actions and associated thresholds and
intervals, including any life limits, are allowed unless they are
approved as specified in the provisions of the ``Ref. Publications''
section of EASA AD 2025-0211.
(j) 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 (k) of
this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cb8a8684888badaaaae5aca4bd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="20616d6f63604641410e474f56">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office/certificate holding
district office.
(k) Additional Information
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:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9df9f2e8fab3efe8f9f2f1edf5ddfbfcfcb3faf2eb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="95f1fae0f2bbe7e0f1faf9e5fdd5f3f4f4bbf2fae3">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0211,
dated September 26, 2025.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999
000; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#eeafaa9dae8b8f9d8fc08b9b9c819e8fc08b9b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5d1c192e1d383c2e3c7338282f322d3c733828">[email protected]</span></a>; website: easa.europa.eu. You may
find this EASA AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) 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.
(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 <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#472135692e2934372224332e2829072926352669202831"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e18793cf888f9291848295888e8fa18f809380cf868e97">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on January 20, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-01265 Filed 1-22-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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