Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7 Airplanes

This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-08- 22, which currently requires inspecting the elevator and rudder attachment brackets for cracks and corrosion on certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-7 airplanes and replacing any cracked or corrosion-damaged parts. Since the issuance of AD 98-08-22, Pilatus has redesigned the brackets. Installation of these brackets should inhibit corrosion, which resulted in cracks or corrosion damage. This AD requires you to replace the elevator and rudder attachment brackets with parts of improved design. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Switzerland. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the elevator and rudder attachment brackets because of cracks or corrosion damage. Such failure could result in the elevator or rudder separating from the airplane with consequent loss of airplane control.