COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Pilatus PC-12 Series Aeroplanes
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PC-12/13 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/PC-12/13
Amdt 1
Flap System 1/2001 DM
Applicability: All PC-12 and PC-12/45 aircraft.
Requirement: 1. Inspect flap actuators to check axial end-play and backlash of each flap actuator in accordance with the Pilatus PC12 Maintenance Manual, Temporary Revision (TR) 27-13, dated 30 April 2000.
If the acceptance criteria specified in TR 27-13 cannot be met, replace defective actuators before further flight.
Compliance with a later revision of the Pilatus PC12 Maintenance Manual approved by FOCA satisfies this Directive.
Note 1: Switzerland FOCA AD’s HB 98-460 and HB 2000-443 refer.
2. Modify the flap system in accordance with Pilatus PC-12 Service Bulletin (SB) 27- 008, Revision 2, dated 13 September 2000.
Note 2: Switzerland FOCA AD HB 2000-443 refers.
3. Amend the PC-12 Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) with POH/AFM Temporary Revision No. 15 - MODIFIED FLAP SYSTEM - dated 3 April 2000.
4. For aircraft incorporating SB 27-008 as of the effective date of this Directive, inspect the Flap Control and Warning Unit (FCWU) to determine its serial number and remove from service any FCWU, Part No. FCWU99-3 with serial number 100,000 or less in accordance with Pilatus PC-12 Service Bulletin (SB) 27-012, dated 13 September 2000. From the effective date of this Amendment, no such FCWU may be installed on any model Pilatus PC-12 aircraft.
Note 3: Switzerland FOCA AD HB 2000-444 refers
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Compliance: 1. (a) Pre - SB 27-008 Configuration Flap System:
Within 65 landings following the last backlash inspection per the original issue of this Directive and, thereafter, at periods specified in Pilatus PC12 Maintenance Manual, Temporary Revision 04-05, dated 30 April 2000.
(b) Post - SB 27-008 Configuration Flap System:
Concurrent with the incorporation of SB 27-008 and thereafter at the intervals specified in the Pilatus PC12 Maintenance Manual, Chapter 05-10-20, Time Limited Inspection Requirements.
2. Unless previously accomplished either during production or by retrofit action, within the next 600 hours time in service after the effective date of this Directive but no later than 30 June 2001, whichever occurs first.
3. Concurrent with Requirement 2 of this Directive.
4. No later than 31 December 2000.
This Amendment becomes effective on 29 November 2000.
Background: Several flap actuators have been found with excessive backlash in the internal gear system. Excessive backlash may lead to rapid premature wear of the gear and in extreme cases to loss of actuator output. Internal failure of the worm gear could allow an actuator to turn freely. Detection of all potential failure modes by the flap control computer can not be assured.
This amendment mandates a modification that improves the flap system and extends the repetitive inspection interval for the flap actuator backlash check. The amendment also requires certain FCWU’s to be removed from service.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 9 December 1998.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 22 November 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 29 November 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, govern various aspects of civil aviation in Australia, including the safety of aircraft. To address safety concerns specifically related to Pilatus PC-12 series aeroplanes, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PC-12/13 and its amendment, AD/PC-12/13Amdt 1, targeting issues with the flap system. These directives were introduced to ensure that the unsafe conditions identified, such as excessive backlash in flap actuators, are addressed to prevent potential failures that could compromise flight safety. The policy objective of these directives is to mandate corrective actions, including inspections, modifications, and the removal of certain components, to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft models. This is achieved through CASA's authority under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, ensuring that the safety standards are met and maintained.
Scope and Application
This legislative instrument, under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically applies to all Pilatus PC-12 and PC-12/45 aircraft within Australian jurisdiction. The directive mandates actions to rectify an unsafe condition identified in the flap system of these aircraft, aiming to ensure their airworthiness. The required actions include inspecting the flap actuators for axial end-play and backlash, modifying the flap system, updating the Pilot’s Operating Handbook, and removing certain Flap Control and Warning Units from service. Compliance with the directive is enforced within specified timelines and inspection intervals, with the directive becoming effective on 29 November 2000. This legislation extends the reach of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's oversight to ensure the safety standards of these aircraft meet regulatory requirements, with specific amendments referenced from Swiss Federal Office for Civil Aviation directives.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39, Section 105 (Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives) includes a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Pilatus PC-12 Series Aeroplanes. This directive revokes the previous AD/PC-12/13 and mandates specific actions to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft. Specifically, the AD/PC-12/13 Amendment 1 focuses on the flap system, requiring inspections and modifications to prevent unsafe conditions. All PC-12 and PC-12/45 aircraft must adhere to these directives (Section 1).
The AD requires several actions to be taken on the flap system. Firstly, flap actuators must be inspected for axial end-play and backlash as per the Pilatus PC-12 Maintenance Manual, Temporary Revision (TR) 27-13. If the acceptance criteria cannot be met, defective actuators must be replaced before further flight. Compliance with later revisions of the Pilatus PC-12 Maintenance Manual, approved by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), is also acceptable. Secondly, the flap system must be modified according to Pilatus PC-12 Service Bulletin (SB) 27-008, Revision 2. Additionally, the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) must be amended with POH/AFM Temporary Revision No. 15, and any Flap Control and Warning Unit (FCWU) with a serial number 100,000 or less must be removed from service. These modifications and inspections are essential to ensure the continued safe operation of the aircraft.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators and maintainers of Pilatus PC-12 aircraft. Operators must ensure that inspections and modifications are carried out within the specified timeframes. For example, inspections for flap actuator backlash must be performed within 65 landings for pre-SB 27-008 configurations and at intervals specified in the Pilatus PC-12 Maintenance Manual, Temporary Revision 04-05. Modifications to the flap system must be completed within 600 hours time in service after the directive's effective date or by 30 June 2001, whichever is earlier. The POH must be updated concurrently with the flap system modification, and FCWUs with specified serial numbers must be removed from service by 31 December 2000. These requirements ensure that all aircraft meet the latest safety standards.
Breaches of the AD may result in civil or criminal penalties. Operators and maintainers who fail to comply with the AD may face enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in fines, operational restrictions, or even the grounding of the aircraft. It is crucial for operators to adhere to the AD to avoid these consequences and ensure the continued safety and airworthiness of the Pilatus PC-12 aircraft.