[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 25, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53208-53210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-21090]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0917; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00740-A;
Amendment 39-23155; AD 2025-20-02]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-24 airplanes. This AD was
prompted by a report of an inaccurate flight director calculation on
approach. This AD requires incorporating a temporary revision into the
existing airplane flight manual (AFM) for the affected airplanes, which
revises the Abnormal Procedures Section. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective December 30, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 30,
2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0917; 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:
[[Page 53209]]
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.
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.
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 by adding an AD that would apply to all Pilatus Model PC-24
airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 18,
2025 (90 FR 25909). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0240, dated
December 10, 2024, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the
Member States of the European Union (also referred to as the MCAI). The
MCAI states there was a report of an inaccurate flight director
calculation on approach with APEX Build 5.3 and below software
installed. Further investigation revealed that heading splits can cause
errors in the flight director calculation, resulting in lateral offsets
to the desired approach course. The MCAI also states that the AD is
considered an interim action and further AD action may follow.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require incorporating a temporary
revision into the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) for the
affected airplanes, which revises the Abnormal Procedures Section. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0917.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
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. This AD is
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0240, which specifies procedures for
incorporating Pilatus PC-24 AFM Temporary Revision 02371-075 (also
referred to as AFM-TR) into the AFM, which revises the Abnormal
Procedures Section. EASA AD 2024-0240 also specifies informing all
flight crews of the change, and, thereafter, operating the airplane
accordingly, and allows for the incorporation of a later AFM revision
that includes the same AFM amendment content. 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
EASA AD 2024-0240 includes requirements to ``inform all flight
crews and, thereafter, operate the [airplane] accordingly'', and this
AD does not specifically require those actions because those actions
are already required by existing FAA regulations (see 14 CFR 91.9,
91.505, and 135.21).
Interim Action
The FAA considers this AD an interim action. This unsafe condition
is still under investigation by the manufacturer and, depending on the
results of that investigation, the FAA may consider further rulemaking
action.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 150 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
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Revise AFM.......................... 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $12,750
hour = $85.
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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.
[[Page 53210]]
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:
2025-20-02 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Amendment 39-23155; Docket No.
FAA-2025-0917; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00740-A.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 30,
2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd Model PC-24 airplanes,
certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3400, Navigation
System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of an inaccurate flight
director calculation on approach. The FAA is issuing this AD to
prevent heading splits that can cause errors in flight director
calculations resulting in lateral offsets to the desired approach
course. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in an
increased pilot workload, resulting in a reduction of the safety
margins.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with
all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2024-0240,
dated December 10, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0240).
(2) The actions required by paragraph (g)(1) of 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 2024-0240
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0240 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0240 specifies to
implement the AFM-TR, this AD requires revising the Abnormal
Procedures Section of the existing AFM for your airplane by
inserting a copy of the AFM-TR as defined in EASA AD 2024-0240.
(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0240 specifies to inform
all flight crews and, thereafter, operate the [airplane]
accordingly, this AD does not require those actions as those actions
are already required by existing FAA regulations (see 14 CFR 91.9,
91.505, and 135.21).
(4) This AD does not adopt the Remarks section of EASA AD 2024-
0240.
(i) 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 International Validation Branch, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) 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
of the responsible Flight Standards Office/certificate holding
district office.
(j) 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].
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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 2024-0240,
dated December 10, 2024.
(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 November 21, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-21090 Filed 11-24-25; 8:45 am]
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