Rule2026-08022
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
April 24, 2026
Effective
May 11, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-12/47G airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that a brake shuttle valve (BSV) on a production airplane shuttled and isolated the brake line to the left- hand (LH) brake, which resulted in brake lockup. This AD requires replacement of the LH and right-hand (RH) brake pipe assemblies and also prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 79 (Friday, April 24, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 79 (Friday, April 24, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21952-21955]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08022]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-3862; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00317-A;
Amendment 39-23319; 2026-08-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. 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
certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-12/47G airplanes. This
AD was prompted by a report that a brake shuttle valve (BSV) on a
production airplane shuttled and isolated the brake line to the left-
hand (LH) brake, which resulted in brake lockup. This AD requires
replacement of the LH and right-hand (RH) brake pipe assemblies and
also prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective May 11, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 11,
2026.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by June 8, 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 21953]]
No. FAA-2026-3862; 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:
<bullet> For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (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#87c6c3f4c7e2e6f4e6a9e2f2f5e8f7e6a9e2f2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="37767344775256445619524245584756195242">[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. It is also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-3862.
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#22464d57450c5057464d4e524a624443430c454d54"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="771318021059050213181b071f3711161659101801">[email protected]</span></a>.
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-2026-3862; Project
Identifier MCAI-2026-00317-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
<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 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
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA Emergency AD 2026-0065-E, dated March
25, 2026 (EASA Emergency AD 2026-0065-E) (also referred to as the
MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition on certain Pilatus Model PC-12/
47G airplanes. The MCAI states that during production operations it was
observed that the BSV, installed as a provision for a future emergency
autoland system, had shuttled and isolated the brake line between the
BSV and the LH brake, which resulted in LH brake lockup. This
condition, if not corrected, could lead to unintended asymmetric wheel
braking and reduced directional control of the airplane.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-3862.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA Emergency AD 2026-0065-E, which specifies
procedures for the replacement of the LH and RH brake pipe assemblies
and prohibits the installation of affected parts. 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 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 the
material already described, except for any differences identified as
exceptions in the regulatory text of this 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 been
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result,
EASA Emergency AD 2026-0065-E is incorporated by reference in this AD.
This AD requires compliance with EASA Emergency AD 2026-0065-E in its
entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD. Using
common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section
in EASA Emergency AD 2026-0065-E 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 Emergency AD
2026-0065-E. Material required by EASA Emergency AD 2026-0065-E for
compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-
2026-3862 after this AD is published.
Interim Action
The FAA considers this AD to be an interim action. If final action
is later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking.
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
[[Page 21954]]
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 without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because a BSV can shuttle and isolate the brake line, resulting in
brake lockup. This could lead to unintended asymmetric braking during
takeoff, aborted takeoff, or landing. Asymmetric braking during the
takeoff roll could result in the airplane veering sharply to one side,
preventing the airplane from accelerating correctly or maintaining the
runway centerline. Similarly, during landing, asymmetric braking could
result in reduced directional control and prevent the airplane from
maintaining the centerline. Failure to maintain the runway centerline
increases the risk of a runway excursion, which can lead to loss of
control, departure from the paved surface, and potential damage to the
airplane and surrounding infrastructure, or injury to occupants.
Additionally, the compliance time in this AD is shorter than the time
necessary for the public to comment prior to 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 forgo 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 the 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 13 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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Replace the LH and RH brake pipe 3 work-hours x $85 per $5,000 $5,255 $68,315
assemblies. hour = $255.
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The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected operators.
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:
2026-08-11 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-23319; Docket No.
FAA-2026-3862; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00317-A.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 11, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Model PC-12/47G
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 2026-0065-E, dated
March 25, 2026 (EASA Emergency AD 2026-0065-E).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3240, Landing Gear
Brake System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that a brake shuttle valve
(BSV) on a production airplane shuttled and isolated the brake line
to the left-hand (LH) brake, resulting in brake lockup. The FAA is
issuing this AD to prevent unintended asymmetric wheel braking. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced
directional control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
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, EASA Emergency AD 2026-0065-E.
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(h) Exceptions to EASA Emergency AD 2026-0065-E
(1) Where EASA Emergency AD 2026-0065-E refers to its effective
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA
Emergency AD 2026-0065-E.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2026-0065-
E specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this
AD does not include that requirement.
(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) of
this AD and email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#793834363a391f1818571e160f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ffbeb2b0bcbf999e9ed1989089">[email protected]</span></a>. 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
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#b0d4dfc5d79ec2c5d4dfdcc0d8f0d6d1d19ed7dfc6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3b5f544e5c15494e5f54574b537b5d5a5a155c544d">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference 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) Emergency AD
2026-0065-E, dated March 25, 2026.
(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#1b5a5f685b7e7a687a357e6e69746b7a357e6e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2a6b6e596a4f4b594b044f5f58455a4b044f5f">[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#fe988cd097908d8e9b9d8a979190be909f8c9fd0999188"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a3c5d18dcacdd0d3c6c0d7cacccde3cdc2d1c28dc4ccd5">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on April 16, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-08022 Filed 4-23-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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