Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-26- 05, which applied to certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC- 24 airplanes. AD 2023-26-05 required periodic replacement of affected titanium threaded bolts, a one-time inspection of the rudder mass balance arm and other elements of the rudder trim tab installation for correct attachment, damage (gouges), cracks, deformation, surface finish, and corrosion on any surrounding parts and, depending on findings, the accomplishment of applicable corrective actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-26-05, it was determined that some batches of titanium bolts had variations in the microstructure that could affect the fatigue characteristics. This AD requires replacing affected short rudder-trim control rod assemblies with serviceable rudder-trim control rod assemblies having threaded steel bolts and prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.