AD 2019-05-15 Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

Makes named: pilatus. Models named: PC-7. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7 airplanes, manufacturer serial number (MSN) 101 through MSN 537, MSN 548 through MSN 609, and MSN 613 through MSN 618, certificated in any category.

Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through (2). (1) Within the next 120 days after the effective date of this AD, do the following inspections: (i) Visually inspect all wires below access panel F5 for signs of chafing and contact with the casings of the line replacement units (LRUs), panel edges, or environmental control system (ECS) hoses. If there is any chafing or contact, before further flight, do all corrective actions by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.B.(2) through 3.B.(3), in Pilatus PC-7 Service Bulletin No. 24-008, Rev. No. 1, dated December 20, 2018. (ii) Visually inspect the metal clips on the demist hoses for signs of contact with the wiring looms. If there is any contact, before further flight, adjust the clips by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B.(5), in Pilatus PC-7 Service Bulletin No. 24-008, Rev. No. 1, dated December 20, 2018. (2) Within 10 days after completing the inspections required in paragraph (f)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD or within the next 10 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, report the results of the inspections, both negative and positive, to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. at the address listed in paragraph (i)(3) of this AD. On the report, include whether there were any chafed wires, casing contacts that needed to be relocated, or metal clip adjustments. You may use the Service Bulletin Evaluation Sheet in Pilatus PC-7 Service Bulletin No. 24-008, Rev. No. 1, dated December 20, 2018, for this purpose, but include the above findings of the inspection.

The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Small Airplane Standards Branch, 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 Standards Branch, 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must instead be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Standards Branch, FAA, or the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA). (3) Reporting Requirements: A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory as required by this AD; the nature and extent of confidentiality to be provided, if any. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as chafed and burned wires located under panel F5. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct chafed and burned wires under panel F5, which could lead to smoke or fumes in the cockpit and result in a possible in-flight fire.

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