# AD 68-17-03: Cracks in Rudder End Rib

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Historical
- Products: Pilatus PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2 and 3 more
- Effective: August 19, 1968
- Superseded by: [AD 68-17-03 R1](https://openairdocs.org/ad/68-17-03-R1)
- Product type: Aircraft, Small airplane
- Amendment: 39-634
- Registered aircraft: 22 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/6F29B5312FBD781686256A45006BB96D.0001
- DRS record last changed: August 7, 2025
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/68-17-03

## The airworthiness directive

68-17-03 PILATUS: Amendment 39-634. Applies to all Model PC-6 Series Airplanes. Compliance required as indicated. To detect cracks in the rudder end rib, accomplish the following: (a) Within the next 50 hours time in service after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours time in service from the last inspection, inspect the rudder end rib P/N 6302.27 for cracks with the aid of a mirror. (b) If cracks are detected during any inspection prescribed in paragraph (a), replace the rudder end rib before further flight with a modified rudder end rib, P/N 6302.26 Pos. 2; channel reinforcement, P/N 113.40.06.002, and torque tube, P/N 113/40.06.003, in accordance with Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 80, dated April, 1968, or later Swiss Federal Air Office approved Revision or FAA approved equivalent. (c) The repetitive inspections required by paragraph (a) may be discontinued after the modified rudder end rib has been installed. This amendment becomes effective August 19, 1968.

## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS 7A15](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/7A15): Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.; names 15 of 15 models: PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/C1-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/C-H2, PC-6, PC-6/A-H1…

## Registered aircraft it may apply to (OpenAirDocs)

Matched by airframe and engine model; the AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment.

- Aircraft: 22 (22 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Pilatus 22

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4](https://openairdocs.org/model/pilatus-pc-6-b2-h4): 11 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Pilatus PC-6/B2-H2](https://openairdocs.org/model/pilatus-pc-6-b2-h2): 8 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Pilatus PC-6/B1-H2](https://openairdocs.org/model/pilatus-pc-6-b1-h2): 2 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Pilatus PC-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/pilatus-pc-6): 1 aircraft (airframe model)

All 5 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/68-17-03/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/68-17-03/aircraft.md

## Related documents

- [AD 68-17-03 R1](https://openairdocs.org/ad/68-17-03-R1): Rudder end rib · Pilatus PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2 and 12 more. Effective Aug 3, 2006. Supersedes this AD

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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