AD/PC-12/35 - Overhead Panel Switch Caps (Cth)

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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.

Pilatus PC-12 Series Aeroplanes

AD/PC-12/35 Overhead Panel Switch Caps 2/2003

Applicability: Model PC-12 and PC-12/45 aeroplanes with Manufacturers Serial Number (MSN) 321, together with MSN 401 to MSN 457 (inclusive) and MSN 463, with overhead panel Part Number (P/N) 972.81.32.102 installed.

Note 1: This Directive is not applicable to aeroplanes with overhead panel P/N 972.81.32.102 at Mod A standard.

Requirement: Modify the overhead panel by replacing overhead panel switch caps in accordance with Pilatus PC-12 Service Bulletin 31-003 dated 27 September 2002.

Note 2: FOCA Switzerland AD HB 2002-659 refers.

Compliance: At the next 100 hour inspection or annual inspection, whichever occurs first, after the effective date of this Directive.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 20 February 2003.

Background: Pilatus has reported that it is possible that push switches on the overhead panel may not operate due to failure of the plastic switch cap spigot. This Directive requires the replacement of the switch caps with items, which have stronger improved spigots.