Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 Airplanes

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. This AD requires you to determine whether certain main landing gear shock absorber attachment bolts have been replaced and, if not replaced, would require you to replace shock absorber attachment bolts on main landing gear assemblies that have a serial number beginning with AM001 through AM053. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Switzerland. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct hydrogen embrittlement in the main landing gear shock absorber attachment bolts, which could result in failure of the main landing gear. This failure could lead to main landing gear collapse during operation with consequent loss of airplane control.