Pilatus Pilots: Swap Those Bolts or Risk a Rocky Flight
Published Date: 2/24/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
Pilatus PC-24 airplane owners need to swap out certain titanium bolts for stronger steel ones to keep flying safe. This update replaces an older rule and stops using bolts that might wear out too fast. The FAA wants these changes done soon to avoid any costly or risky problems in the air.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory bolt replacement on PC-24s
If you own or operate a Pilatus Model PC-24 airplane, the FAA proposes you must replace affected short rudder-trim control rod assemblies with serviceable assemblies that use threaded steel bolts. This requirement is intended to address titanium-bolt fatigue problems identified in some batches of titanium bolts.
Supersedes prior AD; changes compliance approach
The proposed AD would supersede AD 2023-26-05. AD 2023-26-05 required periodic replacement of affected titanium threaded bolts and a one-time inspection; the proposed AD would instead require replacing affected short rudder-trim control rod assemblies with assemblies having threaded steel bolts and would prohibit installation of the affected parts.
Ban on installing affected titanium bolts
If you perform maintenance on Pilatus Model PC-24 airplanes, the proposed AD would prohibit installing the affected titanium threaded bolts. The prohibition is tied to the FAA proposal to incorporate by reference an EASA AD that identifies the affected parts.
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