Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-18550 · Wings
PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Airplanes
This AD applies to PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes, all serial numbers delivered before January 1, 2015, certificated in any category.
Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD: The date of delivery may be found as the issue date of the EASA Form 52, which is part of the airplane records.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Models PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as incorrect installation instructions of the torlon plates in the airplane maintenance manual resulting in the incorrect installation of the torlon plates in the forward wing-to-fuselage attachment. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through (4) of this AD. If paragraphs (f)(1), (2), and (3) of this AD have already been done before July 15, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), then only paragraph (f)(4) of this AD applies.
(1) For any airplane that has had a wing removed and reinstalled or replaced between June 2007 and July 15, 2016 (the effective date of this AD): Within the next 12 months after July 15, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the torlon plates in the forward lower wing-to-fuselage attachments (both left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) sides) for correct installation following the accomplishment instructions in PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 57-007, dated September 29, 2015.
(2) For any airplane that has had a wing removed and reinstalled or replaced, between June 2007 and July 15, 2016 (the effective date of this AD): If an incorrect installation of the torlon plates is found during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, remove the affected torlon plates, visually inspect the torlon plates and the affected lugs using a mirror and light source (if necessary) for any damage, and reinstall the torlon plates in the correct sequence, following the accomplishment instructions in paragraph 3.C. of PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 57-007, dated September 29, 2015.
(3) For any airplane that has had a wing removed and reinstalled or replaced, between June 2007 and July 15, 2016 (the effective date of this AD): If any damage is found during the inspection of the torlon plates and lugs required in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, before further flight, contact PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. for FAA-approved repair instructions and accomplish those instructions accordingly. You may find contact information for PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. in paragraph (h) of this AD.
(4) For all airplanes: As of July 15, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), do not install or re-install a wing on any airplane, unless concurrent with the wing installation, the torlon plates of the forward lower wing-to-fuselage attachment (both LH and RH sides) of the airplane are inspected and found to be installed correctly in accordance with the accomplishment instructions in paragraph 3.B. of PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. PC-12 Service Bulletin No: 57-007, dated September 29, 2015.
Note 2 to paragraph (f)(4) of this AD: Installation of a wing on an airplane in accordance with the instructions of PILATUS aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) 02049, Revision 28 or later, or AMM 02300, Revision 11 or later, is an acceptable alternative method to comply with this inspection requirement.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
