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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.

(c) APPLICABILITY

    This AD  applies to all airplane models  specified in Table 1 to para-
    graph (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.
    ______________________________________________________________________
            TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (C) – APPLICABLE AIRPLANE MODELS         
    ______________________________________________________________________
    TYPE CERTIFICATE HOLDER      AIRPLANE MODEL
    ______________________________________________________________________
    Commander Aircraft           112B, 112TC, 112TCA, 114, 114A, 114B, and
    Corporation                  114TC

    DAHER AEROSPACE              TB 20 and TB 21

    Mooney International         M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J, M20K,
    Corporation                  M20M, M20R, and M20S

    Piper Aircraft, Inc.         PA-24, PA-24-250, and PA-24-260

    Piper Aircraft, Inc.         PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-151, PA-28-
                                 160, PA-28-161, PA28-180, PA-28-181, PA-
                                 28-201T, PA-28-235, PA-28-236, PA28R-180,
                                 PA-28R-200, PA-28R-201, PA-28R-201T, PA-
                                 28RT201, and PA-28RT-201T

    Piper Aircraft, Inc.         PA-30 and PA-39

    Piper Aircraft, Inc.         PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32-301, PA-32-
                                 301FT, PA-32-301T, PA-32-301XTC, PA-32R-
                                 300, PA-32RT-300, PA-32RT-300T, PA-32R-
                                 301 (HP), PA-32R-301 (SP) and PA-32R-301T

    Textron Aviation Inc.        19A, B19, M19A, A23A, A23-19, A23-24,
    (type certificate            B23, C23, A24, A24R, B24R, and C24R
    previously held by Beech
    Aircraft Corporation,
    Raytheon Aircraft
    Company, Hawker
    Beechcraft Corporation,
    and Beechcraft
    Corporation)

    Textron Aviation Inc.        C35, D35, E35, F35, and G35
    (type certificate
    previously held by Beech
    Aircraft Corporation,
    Raytheon Aircraft
    Company,
    Hawker Beechcraft
    Corporation, and
    Beechcraft Corporation)

    Textron Aviation Inc.        35-33, 35-A33, 35-B33, 35-C33, 35-C33A,
    (type certificate            36, A36, A36TC, B36TC, E33, E33A, E33C,
    previously held by Beech     F33, F33A, F33C, G33, H35, J35, K35, M35,
    Aircraft Corporation,        N35, P35, S35, V35, V35A, and V35B
    Raytheon Aircraft
    Company, Hawker
    Beechcraft Corporation,
    and Beechcraft
    Corporation)

    Textron Aviation Inc.        172D, 172E, 172F, 172G, 172H, 172I, 172K,
    (type certificate            172L, 172M, 172N, 172P, 172Q, 172R, and
    previously held by Cessna    172S
    Aircraft Company)

    Textron Aviation Inc.        F172E, F172F, F172G, F172H, F172K, F172L,
    (type certificate            F172M, F172N, F172P
    previously held by Cessna
    Aircraft Company)

    Textron Aviation Inc.        172RG, P172D, and R172K
    (type certificate
    previously held by Cessna
    Aircraft Company)

    Textron Aviation Inc.        FR172K
    (type certificate
    previously held by Cessna
    Aircraft Company)

    Textron Aviation Inc.        177B
    (type certificate
    previously held by Cessna
    Aircraft Company)

    Textron Aviation Inc.        177RG
    (type certificate
    previously held by Cessna
    Aircraft Company)

    Textron Aviation Inc.        F177RG
    (type certificate
    previously held by Cessna
    Aircraft Company)

    Textron Aviation Inc.        182E, 182F, 182G, 182H, 182J, 182K, 182L,
    (type certificate            182M, 182N, 182P, 182Q, 182R, 182S, 182T,
    previously held by Cessna    F182P, F182Q, FR182, R182, T182, T182T,
    Aircraft Company)            and TR182

    Textron Aviation Inc.        206H, P206C, P206D, P206E, T206H, TP206C,
    (type certificate            TP206D, TP206E, TU206C, TU206D, TU206E,
    previously held by Cessna    TU206F, TU206G, U206C, U206D, U206E,
    Aircraft Company)            U206F, and U206G

    Textron Aviation Inc.        210D, 210E, 210F, 210G, 210H, 210J, 210K,
    (type certificate            210L, 210M, 210N, T210F, T210G, T210H,
    previously held by Cessna    T210J, T210K, T210L, T210M, and T210N
    Aircraft Company)
    ______________________________________________________________________

(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 al-
    ready 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 Man-
datory 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, pro-
vided 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 wichita-cos@faa.gov.

(2) Before using any approved AMOC,  notify your appropriate principal in-
    spector,  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, Avia-
    tion Safety Engineer,  FAA,  1801 S Airport Road,  Wichita, KS  67209;
    phone: (316) 946-4190; email: christopher.d.withers@faa.gov.

(2) For material identified in this AD  that is not incorporated by refer-
    ence, 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 & Air-
worthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Christopher Withers, Aviation Safety En-
gineer, FAA, 1801 S Airport Rd., Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (316) 946-4190;
email: christopher.d.withers@faa.gov.
PREAMBLE 

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

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: christopher.d.withers@faa.gov.

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

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

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

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]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive: