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

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. This AD requires you to determine (maintenance records check and/or inspection) whether certain nose landing gear (NLG), main landing gear (MLG), and MLG shock absorber assemblies with a serial number beginning with "AM" are installed, and, if installed, would require you to replace them with ones without the "AM." 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 the NLG, MLG, and MLG shock absorber assemblies that are affected by hydrogen embrittlement, which could result in failure of the landing gear. This failure could lead to nose or main landing gear collapse during operation with consequent loss of airplane control.