Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Airplanes
Key claim: Owners of certain Pilatus PC-12/47E airplanes must modify a cabin trim panel so the emergency exit can be opened from inside, and may not install the affected parts.
Abstract
(Rule · Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration) The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-12/47E airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the emergency exit door could not be opened from inside an airplane. This AD requires modification of the passenger service unit (PSU) trim panel if dual lock fastener tapes are not installed. This AD also prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Why this matters
Emergency-exit accessibility from the cabin interior is a core survivability requirement, and this AD closes a specific defect where trim installation could block egress on a widely used business turboprop. It fits the broader pattern of FAA ADs converting field-discovered safety gaps into mandatory owner-level modifications with parts-installation prohibitions.