EASA AD No.: 2013-0115-E

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EASA EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2013-0115-E

Date: 28 May 2013

Note: This Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance 

with Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the European Community, its Member States 

and of the European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of 

that Regulation.

This AD is issued in accordance with EU 748/2012, Part 21.A.3B. In accordance with EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the 

continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an 

aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency [EC 

2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [EC 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption].

Design Approval Holder’s Name:

PILATUS AIRCRAFT Ltd.

Type/Model designation(s):

PC-6/B2-H4 aeroplanes

TCDS Number: Switzerland No. F 56-10

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Supersedure: None

ATA 53 Fuselage – Riveted Structural Parts – Inspection / Repair

Manufacturer(s): Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.

Applicability: PC-6/B2-H4 aeroplanes, Manufacturer Serial Numbers (MSN) 735, 863, 909, 

923, 948, 956, 958, 977, 978, 979, 980, 981, 982, 985 and 986.

Reason: Reports have been received that rivets with insufficient shear (about 50% shear 

allowable) were delivered from the supplier to Pilatus. Investigations revealed 

that the faulty rivets were already installed in various airframes and spare parts 

during the production process.

This condition, if not corrected, could result in a reduced strength of the 

aeroplane structure.

For the reasons described above, this AD prohibits all flight operations for the 

affected aeroplanes, except for a ferry flight under limited flight conditions to a 

repair station. In order to resume flights, this AD requires accomplishment of an 

inspection and, depending on findings, a repair of all affected areas of the 

aeroplane.

Effective Date: 30 May 2013
EASA AD No.: 2013-0115-E

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Required Action(s) 

and Compliance

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

(1) Before next flight after the effective date of this AD, for aeroplanes 

identified in the applicability paragraph, contact Pilatus for approved 

inspections instructions, inspect the affected areas and, depending on 

findings, contact Pilatus for approved repair instructions and accomplish 

those repair instructions accordingly.

(2) A single ferry flight is permitted to a repair station where the inspection 

and repair, as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, can be accomplished, 

provided that the aeroplane passes a pre-flight inspection in accordance 

with the instructions of Section 2.2 of Pilatus PC-6 TM-06-000004. The 

applicable ferry flight conditions are detailed in Section 2.3 of Pilatus PC-6 

TM-06-000004.

(3) From the effective date of this AD, do not install on any aeroplane any

parts having a manufacturing date between September 2010 and May 

2013, and identified by Part Number (P/N) and serial number (s/n) in Table 

1 of this AD, unless the part has been inspected and, depending on 

findings, repaired in accordance with Pilatus Approved Repair Design 

Data.

Table 1 – Affected Spare Parts

Part Name P/N s/n

Rudder 113.40.06.018 590, K001, K002 and K003

Tail Cone, Short 620.10.08.504 (not serialized parts)

Ref. Publications: PILATUS PC-6 Technical Memo TM-06-000004, dated 16 May 2013.

The use of later approved revisions of this document is acceptable for 

compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Remarks: 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve 

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD.

2. The results of the safety assessment have indicated the need for 

immediate publication and notification, without the full public consultation 

process.

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Safety Information 

Section, Executive Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu.

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in 

this AD, please contact:

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager,

CH-6371 STANS, Switzerland.

Tel.: +41 (0)41 619 65 80 Fax: +41 (0)41 619 65 76

E-mail: fodermatt@pilatus-aircraft.com.