Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 14, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19066-19068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07246]



[[Page 19066]]

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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; 
Amendment 39-23305; AD 2026-07-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-11-
05, which applied to all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-24 
airplanes. AD 2023-11-05 required 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 AD requires revising the 
ALS of the existing AMM or ICA for your airplane. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 19, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 19, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket 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 final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For European Union Aviation Agency (EASA) material 
identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 
Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: [email protected]; 
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 regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-0022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (816) 329-4059; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2023-11-05, Amendment 39-22451 (88 FR 
38382, June 13, 2023) (AD 2023-11-05). AD 2023-11-05 applied to all 
Pilatus Model PC-24 airplanes. AD 2023-11-05 required 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.
    The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 23, 2026 
(91 FR 2882). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2025-0211, dated 
September 26, 2025, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for 
the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 2025-0211) (also 
referred to as the MCAI). 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.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the ALS of the 
existing AMM or ICA for your airplane, as specified in EASA AD 2025-
0211. 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. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
failure of certain parts, which could result in loss of control of the 
airplane.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-0022.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from one individual commenter. The 
commenter supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    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 reviewed the relevant 
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for 
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. 
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.

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 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.

Differences Between This 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 AD 
requires revising the ALS of the existing approved maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, within 30 days after the effective 
date of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 167 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 19067]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise the ALS......................  1 work-hour x $85 per                $0              $85          $14,195
                                       hour = $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

    The FAA has determined that 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:
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:

2026-07-10 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-23305; Docket No. 
FAA-2026-0022; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01575-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 19, 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 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 (EASA) 
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: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager

[[Page 19068]]

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: 
[email protected].

(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) 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: [email protected]; 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 www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on April 10, 2026.
Christopher R. Parker,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-07246 Filed 4-13-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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