(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.