Airworthiness Directives; Various Airplanes

[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 [www.gpo.gov]
[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 regulations.gov 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: [email protected].

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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Cost per    Cost on U.S.
                  Action                            Labor cost           Parts cost    product       operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update autopilot software................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour            $0          $85        $501,500
                                            = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
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Table 1 to Paragraph (c)--Applicable Airplane Models
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR16JY24.018


[[Page 57724]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR16JY24.019

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[[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 [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.

(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: 
[email protected].
    (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: support.garmin.com/en-US/aviation/.

(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]
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