Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-23044 · Rudder tab control system
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes
This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-24 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0181R1, dated September 24, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0181R1).
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-26- 05, which applied to certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC- 24 airplanes. AD 2023-26-05 required periodic replacement of affected titanium threaded bolts, a one-time inspection of the rudder mass balance arm and other elements of the rudder trim tab installation for correct attachment, damage (gouges), cracks, deformation, surface finish, and corrosion on any surrounding parts and, depending on findings, the accomplishment of applicable corrective actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-26-05, it was determined that some batches of titanium bolts had variations in the microstructure that could affect the fatigue characteristics. This AD requires replacing affected short rudder-trim control rod assemblies with serviceable rudder-trim control rod assemblies having threaded steel bolts and prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2024-0181R1.
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0181R1 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2024-0181R1 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0181R1 specifies “as required by EASA AD 2023-0219-E”, this AD requires replacing that text with “as required by AD 2023-26-05.”
(4) Where the material identified in EASA AD 2024-0181R1 specifies to “discard” certain parts, this AD requires replacing that text with “remove from service.”
(5) This AD does not adopt the Remarks section of EASA AD 2024-0181R1.
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.
Aircraft
