COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Pilatus PC-12 Series Aeroplanes
AD/PC-12/1 Nose Landing Gear Forged Main Fitting 6/95
Applicability: All PC-12 fitted with nose landing gear P/N 532.20.12.036
Requirement: Locally strip paint and inspect the nose landing gear forged main fitting using the fluorescent penetrant inspection method in accordance with CAO 108.10. Inspect the areas defined in Pilatus Service Bulletin PC-12 32-001, figure 1. Re-protect bare metal with a single coat of primer.
Alternatively a high frequency eddy current inspection method, approved by the Authority may be used, in which case it is not necessary to strip the paint.
Compliance: Initially inspect before 50 hours time in service or before 25 hours time in service after 25 May 1995, whichever occurs later.
Re-inspect at intervals not to exceed 200 hours time in service.
Background: An operator has reported finding cracks in the upper portion of the nose landing gear main forging. This directive requires removal of the paint and a fluorescent penetrant inspection since the cracks in the forging may be tight and difficult to detect visually. The use of fluorescent penetrant or eddy current increases the reliability of detection and consequently allows an increased inspection interval.