Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22435 · Air conditioning system wiring
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes
This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes, serial numbers 466, 467, 725, 861, 1032, 1052, 1082, 1115, 1232, 1411, 1428, 1439, 1530, 1541, 1663, 1725, and 1802, certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/ 47, and PC-12/47E airplanes. This AD is prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as insufficient grounding of the vapor cycle cooling system (VCCS) compressor/condenser. This AD requires inspecting the power return and chassis grounding cable attachment points at frame 37, including the attachment parts, and depending on the inspection results, corrective action. This AD also requires modifying the installation of the VCCS compressor/condenser power return cables and installing an additional isolated VCCS chassis ground cable. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) Within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect the power return and chassis grounding cable attachment points at frame 37, including the attachment parts, for physical and heat damage, de-lamination, and corrosion in accordance with steps (2) through (6) of Section 3.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions in Pilatus PC-12 Service Bulletin 21-016, dated August 15, 2022 (Pilatus PC-12 SB 21-016).
(2) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, any physical or heat damage, de-lamination, or corrosion as identified in steps (2) through (6) of Section 3.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions in Pilatus PC-12 SB 21-016 is detected, before further flight, repair using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Pilatus's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(3) Within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the installation of the VCCS compressor/condenser power return cables and install an additional isolated VCCS chassis ground cable in accordance with Section 3.C. of the Accomplishment Instructions in Pilatus PC-12 SB 21-016. Where the service bulletin specifies discarding the stop angle, this AD requires removing the stop angle from service.
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.
