Aviation View - Oct 2023

7 AVIATION VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3 AD MANDATES GARMIN AUTOPILOT SOFTWARE FIX On Oct. 6, the FAA proposed a new airworthiness directive requiring operators of thousands of aircraft to update Garmin autopilot software to address a flaw causing the autopilot to make unintended flight-control inputs. According to the agency, the AD was issued in response to an incident involving an F33A Bonanza experiencing “an uncommanded automatic pitch trim runaway when the autopilot was first engaged.” The proposed rule states: “The affected autopilot system software does not properly handle certain hardware failures of the pitch trim servo. This could result in an automatic uncommanded pitch trim runaway and loss of control of the airplane.” The FAA estimates the AD would affect 5,900 aircraft equipped with the autopilot system— including Beechcraft Bonanzas, Commander Aircraft 112s and 114s, Cessna 172s, 182s, 206 and 210s, along with Daher TB20s and TB21s, Mooney’s M20 series and Piper Cherokees. However, the FAA estimates a fix will be relatively cheap for operators at around $85. The agency is proposing operators complete the installation of the updated Garmin autopilot software within a one-year time frame. The proposed rule will be published on Oct. 10, and OPENING L INES According to the agency, the AD was issued in response to an incident involving an F33A Bonanza experiencing “an uncommanded automatic pitch trim runaway when the autopilot was first engaged.”