{"id":"F2006B01988","name":"AD/A320/99 Amdt 2 - Rudder Pedals","slug":"ad-a320-99-amdt-2-rudder-pedals","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":41210,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B01988-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/A320/99 Amdt 2 - Rudder Pedals","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n![](image.002.png)  \nAirbus Industrie A319, A320 and A321 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.002.png)\n\n![](image.002.png)  \nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A320/99 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.\n\nAD/A320/99\n\nAmdt 2\n\n  \nRudder Pedals 3/2001\n\nApplicability: All Model A319, A320 or A321 aircraft without Airbus Industrie Modification 28909 installed at production or Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin (SB) A320-27-1130 or SB A320-27-1130 Revision 1 in-service.\n\nRequirement: Modify the AP-Mode engagement/disengagement lever in accordance with Airbus Industrie SB A320-27-1130 or SB A320-27-1130 Revision 1.\n\nNote: DGAC AD 2000-372-151(B) refers.\n\nCompliance: Before 30 June 2002, unless already accomplished.\n\nThis amendment becomes effective on 22 March 2001.\n\nBackground: The manufacturer received several reports of cases of stiff rudder pedals which could reduce aircraft control during approach and landing phases, with a risk of the aircraft leaving the runway. The rudder pedal stiffness was found to be due to artificial feel being in autopilot mode while the autopilot is disengaged; caused by jamming of the artificial feel AP-Mode disengagement lever.\n\nAmendment 1 introduced another modification as new cases of stiff rudder pedals were reported after embodiment of the previously required modification.\n\nAmendment 2 is issued to introduce Revision 1 of the Requirement document which clarifies the Accomplishment Instructions.\n\nThe original issue of this Directive became effective on 17 June 1999.\n\nAmendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 2 November 2000.\n\n![](image.003.png)  \n\nDavid Alan Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 2 February 2001\n\n![](image.002.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 21 February 2001.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Amendment 2 does not broaden applicability or add new mandatory actions; it replaces the Requirement with Revision 1 of the referenced SB to clarify the Accomplishment Instructions. Amendment 1 had introduced an alternate modification after further reports, but Amendment 2's stated purpose is clarification rather than changing the AD's scope or deadline."},"complexity_factors":["Technical subject-matter: modification of autopilot-mode engagement/disengagement lever affecting rudder pedal 'artificial feel' (requires skilled maintenance).","Cross-references to specific manufacturer documents: SB A320-27-1130 and its Revision 1, and optional Mod 28909 for applicability.","Applicability conditionality: applies only to aircraft without Mod 28909 or without the SB already embodied in-service.","Safety-critical timing: fixed compliance deadline (before 30 June 2002) creates scheduling pressure for operators.","Amendment history: multiple amendments and a Revision 1 that 'clarifies Accomplishment Instructions' require operators to confirm which revision to follow.","Operational impacts: potential aircraft downtime, parts/procurement and maintenance organisation coordination.","Regulatory formality: mandatory AD issued under CAR 1998 s.39.1(1) leaves little regulatory discretion to operators once applicable."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires Airbus A319/A320/A321 aircraft (those without Mod 28909 or without SB A320-27-1130 embodied) to have the autopilot-mode engagement/disengagement lever modified per Airbus SB A320-27-1130 (Revision 1). Operators must complete the modification by 30 June 2002. CASA issued the AD after reports that a jamming disengagement lever could leave artificial feel in AP mode and cause stiff rudder pedals, reducing control on approach and landing. The compliance cost, parts and downtime fall to aircraft operators who must follow the manufacturer’s instructions (Requirement; Compliance)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This amendment maintains the original scope of addressing rudder pedal stiffness in Airbus A320 family aircraft. Amendment 2 is purely a technical clarification of repair instructions and does not expand the applicability, add new requirements, or change the fundamental safety purpose established in the original 1999 directive."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific technical requirement (modify one lever)","Clear applicability criteria (specific aircraft models without specific modifications)","Simple compliance deadline (single date, no conditional logic)","Minimal cross-referencing (only references one French aviation authority document and previous versions of itself)","Short document (approximately 300 words)","No nested exceptions or complex conditional language"],"plain_english_summary":"This safety order replaces an earlier amendment and requires owners/operators of certain Airbus A319/A320/A321 aircraft (those without factory Mod 28909 or an earlier service fix) to modify the autopilot engagement/disengagement lever on the rudder pedal system by 30 June 2002.  \n\nThe fix addresses a mechanical jam that made rudder pedals stiff on landing, reducing steerability and risking runway excursions; Amendment 2 mainly clarifies the repair instructions for maintenance crews."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-a320-99-amdt-2-rudder-pedals","history":"/api/acts/ad-a320-99-amdt-2-rudder-pedals/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-a320-99-amdt-2-rudder-pedals/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-a320-99-amdt-2-rudder-pedals/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-a320-99-amdt-2-rudder-pedals/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-a320-99-amdt-2-rudder-pedals/documents"}}