{"id":"F2009L01319","name":"AD/PC-12/57 - Nose Wheel Steering Torque Tube","slug":"ad-pc-12-57-nose-wheel-steering-torque-tube","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":122309,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2009L01319-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Pilatus PC-12 Series Aeroplanes","sectionType":"division","heading":"Pilatus PC-12 Series Aeroplanes","content":"### Pilatus PC-12 Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/PC-12/57 | Nose Wheel Steering Torque Tube | 5/2009 |\n| ----------- | ------------------------------- | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | Models PC-12, PC-12/45 and PC-12/47 aircraft, Manufacturer Serial Numbers 101 through 544 and 546 through 888.Model PC-12/47E aircraft, Manufacturer Serial Numbers 545 and 1001 through 1080.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |\n| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |\n| Requirement:   | Action in accordance with the requirements of EASA AD 2009-0060.Note: PILATUS PC-12 Service Bulletin No. 32-021 original issue, or later EASA approved revision, refers.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |\n| Compliance:    | As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of7 May 2009.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |\n|                | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 7 May 2009.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |\n| Background:    | The EASA received several reports of in-service cracked nose wheel steering torque tubes. A reduced wall thickness produced during the manufacturing process has been determined to be the initial cause. Additionally, all the affected torque tubes have been found to have evidence of fatigue cracking. Such cracking, unless detected, could lead to failure of the torque tube and result in loss of steering on the ground and consequent unsafe condition. |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nDavid Villiers  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n26 March 2009","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/PC-12/57","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/PC-12/57","content":"## AD/PC-12/57","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Nose Wheel Steering Torque Tube","sectionType":"part","heading":"Nose Wheel Steering Torque Tube","content":"## Nose Wheel Steering Torque Tube","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"5/2009","sectionType":"part","heading":"5/2009","content":"## 5/2009","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard airworthiness directive addressing a specific manufacturing defect in a specific aircraft component. The scope remains tightly focused on the nose wheel steering torque tube issue as originally identified."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 300 words)","Only 4 defined elements: applicability by model/serial number, reference to external EASA directive, reference to manufacturer service bulletin, and compliance date","No nested conditional logic or exceptions","Single mechanical issue with straightforward remedy (inspect/replace part)","Cross-reference to external technical document (EASA AD 2009-0060) but no internal cross-referencing"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD orders owners/operators of specified Pilatus PC‑12 variants to inspect and, if needed, replace the nose‑wheel steering torque tube after EASA found some tubes had too‑thin walls that can crack from fatigue and lead to loss of ground steering during taxi/landing. It affects PC‑12, PC‑12/45, PC‑12/47 and PC‑12/47E aircraft within the listed serial ranges and requires compliance with EASA AD 2009‑0060 and Pilatus SB 32‑021; it became mandatory on 7 May 2009."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive does not broaden or narrow the listed models/serial-number applicability; it directs compliance with EASA AD 2009-0060 and notes Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 32-021. The only documented change in this instrument is a revised effective date of 7 May 2009 (Compliance)."},"complexity_factors":["Dependence on external mandatory document: requires action “in accordance with the requirements of EASA AD 2009-0060” and references Pilatus Service Bulletin No. 32-021 (Requirement). This creates procedural dependency and requires operators to consult another instrument for technical detail.","Serial-numbered applicability: applies only to specified PC-12 models and narrow manufacturer serial-number ranges, so operators must check maintenance/registration records to determine applicability (Applicability).","Safety-critical technical work: addresses fatigue cracking of a primary steering component; inspections and any remedial work affect airworthiness and likely require certified maintenance actions (Background).","Administrative revision: the instrument revises the effective date to 7 May 2009 (Compliance), which is an administrative but time-sensitive change for operator compliance planning.","Potential compliance cost and operational burden: while not quantified in the text, the directive implies inspections and possible repair/replacement work that operators must fund and schedule (Requirement, Background)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of specified Pilatus PC‑12 models and serial numbers to carry out the inspection/repair actions set out in EASA AD 2009-0060 (and the referenced Pilatus Service Bulletin) for the nose wheel steering torque tube. It is effective 7 May 2009. The directive responds to in‑service findings that reduced wall thickness during manufacture led to fatigue cracking that can cause torque tube failure and loss of ground steering if not detected."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pc-12-57-nose-wheel-steering-torque-tube","history":"/api/acts/ad-pc-12-57-nose-wheel-steering-torque-tube/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pc-12-57-nose-wheel-steering-torque-tube/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pc-12-57-nose-wheel-steering-torque-tube/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pc-12-57-nose-wheel-steering-torque-tube/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pc-12-57-nose-wheel-steering-torque-tube/documents"}}