AD 2013-11-08 Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

Makes named: pilatus. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, and PC-6/C1-H2 airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers (MSN), and MSN 2001 through 2092, that are certificated in any category. Note 1 of paragraph (c): For MSN 2001-2092, these airplanes are also identified as Fairchild Republic Company PC-6 airplanes, Fairchild Industries PC-6 airplanes, Fairchild Heli Porter PC-6 airplanes, or Fairchild-Hiller Corporation PC-6 airplanes.

Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) For all affected Models PC-6/B2-H2 and PC-6/B2-H4: Before further flight after July 29, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), incorporate the maintenance requirements as specified in Chapter 04, Airworthiness Limitations, dated July 31, 2012, of the Pilatus PC-6 Maintenance Manual; into your FAA-accepted maintenance program (maintenance manual). Note 2 of paragraph (f)(1) of this AD: European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA AD No.: 2012-0268, dated December 19, 2012, that discusses revision 16 of the Pilatus PC-6 Maintenance Manual. Revision 16 and revision 17 of the Pilatus PC-6 Maintenance Manual both contain the Chapter 04, Airworthiness Limitations, dated July 31, 2012. (2) For all affected Models PC-6 other than the Models PC-6/B2-H2 and PC-6/B2-H4: Before further flight after July 29, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), incorporate the maintenance requirements as specified in Pilatus PC-6 Airworthiness Limitations, Document No. 02334, Revision No. 3, dated July 31, 2012, into your FAA-accepted maintenance program. (3) For all Models PC-6 airplanes: If the actuator has accumulated 3,500 hours TIS or more since new or last overhauled or 7 years or more since new or last overhauled, whichever occurs first, replacement of the flap actuator (except part numbers 978.73.14.101 and 978.73.14.103) is required within 350 hours TIS after July 29, 2013 (the effective date of this AD) or 6 months after July 29, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first. Actuators with less than 3,500 hours TIS or 7 years since new or last overhauled are covered by the ALS requirement.

The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: doug.rudolph@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

This AD was prompted by inspection requirements of the stabilizer-trim attachment components. The inspection requirements have been revised to now include an additional inspection requirement for the flap actuator. We are issuing this proposed AD to update the maintenance program with new requirements and limitations.

This AD supersedes AD number 2011-01-14, Amendment 39-16571 (76 FR 5467; February 1, 2011).