FAA Airworthiness Directive for Pilatus PC-24 Airplanes

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You may be interested in this older document that published on 01/23/2026 with action 'Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).' View Document

Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

A Rule by the Federal Aviation Administration on 04/14/2026

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• Public Inspection Published Document: 2026-07246 (91 FR 19066) Document Headings ###### Department of Transportation

Federal Aviation Administration

1. 14 CFR Part 39
2. [Docket No. FAA-2026-0022; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01575-A; Amendment 39-23305; AD 2026-07-10]
3. RIN 2120-AA64 ( printed page 19066) # AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

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:

• 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: ADs@easa.europa.eu; 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. 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: doug.rudolph@faa.gov.

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: ( printed page 19067)

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

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

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by:

a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2023-11-05, Amendment 39-22451 (88 FR 38382, June 13, 2023); and

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: AMOC@faa.gov.

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager ( printed 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: doug.rudolph@faa.gov.

(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: ADs@easa.europa.eu; 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 fr.inspection@nara.gov.

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

Published Document: 2026-07246 (91 FR 19066)