SAIB CE-02-37

SPECIAL

AIRWORTHINESS

INFORMATION

BULLETIN Aircraft Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration No. CE-02-37 July 9, 2002 We post SAIBs on the internet at "av-info.faa.gov" This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.

Introduction This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerts you, an owner or operator of Pilatus PC-6 aircraft, that Pilatus issued PC-6 Safety Information Letter, dated June 14, 2002. The Letter recommends that you incorporate a new placard and all pilots follow the take off procedures given in the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). The placard has the following text: “! WARNING: SET CORRECT TRIM BEFORE TAKE OFF!” You should install the placard on the heating tube above the instrument panel on the left side of the Stand-By Compass, and in clear view of the pilot.

Background The Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) of Switzerland reports several aircraft accidents possibly attributed to pilots taking off with the horizontal stabilizer incorrectly trimmed. With this condition, the pilot will experience higher than usual stick forces with the increasing airspeed, and unless the pilot takes prompt and proper action, aircraft control could be lost. Pilatus has a trim warning system that is available for installation per SB No. 180, Rev. 1, dated September 27, 2001.

The FAA recommended this modification in SAIB CE-02-29 dated May 30, 2002. The AFM temporary revisions and placard installation are to be done if the SB No. 180, Rev. 1, modification has not been accomplished. The FOCA issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) number HB 2002-314 dated June 25, 2002, specifying the installation of this placard and incorporation of PC-6 AFM Temporary Revisions TR-TRIM 1, dated August 26, 1999 and AFM TR-TRIM 3, dated June 14, 2002, before further flight for the Swiss registered aircraft. Per the FOCA AD, once Pilatus SB No. 180, Rev. 1 is accomplished, the requirement of the placard installation and AFM temporary revisions are no longer required.

The Pilatus' Safety Letter FOCA AD affects all PC-6 Series aircraft with Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) up to and including MSN 939.

Recommendation We recommend that you accomplish the actions of Pilatus PC-6 Safety Information Letter, dated June 14, 2002, and incorporation of PC-6 AFM temporary revisions TR-TRIM 1, dated August 26, 1999, and TR-TRIM 3, dated June 14, 2002, as soon as possible.

For Further Information Contact Doug Rudolph, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, ACE 112, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; telephone (816) 329-4059; fax (816) 329-4090; e-mail: doug.rudolph@faa.gov Copies of Pilatus PC-6 Safety Information Letter and AFM Temporary Revisions can be obtained from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison Manager, CH-6371 Stans; Switzerland; Telephone: +41 41 619 6580; Fax: +41 41 610 3351; E-mail: fodermatt@pilatus-aircraft.com.