The FAA has issued a new airworthiness directive (AD) for some Pilatus PC-12/47E airplanes, prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) by an aviation authority internationally, which identified a potential safety risk involving corrosion that can decrease the effectivity of surface protection. The AD will require the replacement of some MLG and NLG electro-mechanical actuators. This AD will be effective May 19.
This applies to certain serial-numbered PC-12/47E, otherwise known as the PC-12 NG. An AD sent out by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) from Aug. 4, 2022 prompted the FAA to send out its notice to proposed rule-making. The EASA sent out the AD after occurrences of corrosion of the actuator attachment lug areas underneath the anti-rotation pads of the main landing gear (MLG) and nose landing gear (NLG). This corrosion can decrease the effectiveness of surface protection and allow for more corrosion on the attachment lugs, which can lead to cracking and failure of the attachment lugs.
If this concern is not addressed properly, it can lead to a loss of functionality of the MLF and NLG, potentially leading to damage on the airplane or injury for the passengers. The MCAI would require an inspection and possible replacement for the MLG and NLG electro-mechanical actuators with serviceable actuators, prohibiting the installation of an affected actuator unless it has previously been reworked to a serviceable actuator.
The EASA’s AD was superseded on Nov. 9. This included a revision from the Pilatus service bulletin. Investigations revealed the parts were installed on other airplanes, addressed in the second AD from the EASA. The service bulletin from Pilatus was mandatory, listing different time tables for different serial numbers. The bulletin lists groups of serial numbers and the different requirements for each, MSN 1300 and 1451 through 1663, 1664 through 1719, 1721 through 1942, 1720, 2001 through 2202 and 2204 and 2206.
FAA projected cost of replacements/work
The Airline Pilots Association, International (ALPA) supported the NPRM without change. Pilatus also commented on the publication, noting that revised service information had been issued and requesting a few changes to references of outdated service bulletin, to the most recent, dated Oct. 7. A revision was requested for the three-month compliance time, which Pilatus felt should only be applicable to older aircraft on which the actuators were installed and initial failures were identified, to which the FAA agreed.
There are few differences between the MCAI and the AD. The MCAI bases compliance time for the replacement of the parts on the corrosion environment for the plane. The FAA regulations do not require operators to track operations in different environmental conditions, rendering this ineffective as a verifiable factor for the AD.
The FAA estimates this will impact 440 planes in the U.S. and is applicable to any Model PC-12/47E plane with a serial number 1300 and 1451 and higher in any category.
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