{"id":"F2006B02539","name":"AD/AT 800/4 - Rudder Control Cables and Fairleads","slug":"ad-at-800-4-rudder-control-cables-and-fairleads","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":41795,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B02539-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","sectionType":"part","heading":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","content":"# AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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\nAirtractor 800 Series Aeroplanes","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/AT 800/4 Rudder Control Cables and Fa","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/AT 800/4 Rudder Control Cables and Fairleads 10/2002","content":"# AD/AT 800/4 Rudder Control Cables and Fairleads 10/2002\n\nApplicability: Models AT-802 and AT-802A aircraft, serial numbers 802-0001 through 802-0081. Requirement: Replace the rudder control cables and fairleads in accordance with Snow Engineering\n\nCompany Service Letter No. 199, dated 30 May 2000.\n\nNote: FAA AD 2002-15-06 Amdt 39-12834 refers.\n\nCompliance: Within 500 hours time in service after 3 October 2002, unless already accomplished.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 3 October 2002.\n\nBackground: The FAA received a report of rudder control cable failure due to cable wear at the aft fairlead. This Directive requires replacement of rudder control cables and fairleads with parts of improved design.\n\n![](image.002.jpeg)  \n\nDavid Alan Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 22 August 2002\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 11 September 2002.","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"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"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Airworthiness Directive maintains its original narrow scope. It addresses a specific mechanical failure mode (rudder cable wear at fairleads) in a limited production run of agricultural aircraft. The directive has not expanded beyond its original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific aircraft model range (AT-802/802A, serials 802-0001 to 802-0081)","One clear action required (replace cables and fairleads)","Single compliance timeframe (500 hours time in service)","References only one external technical document (Snow Engineering Service Letter No. 199)","No nested conditions, exceptions, or alternative compliance methods","No defined terms section","Straightforward causal chain: reported failure → safety risk → mandated replacement"],"plain_english_summary":"This safety order requires owners/operators of Air Tractor AT-802 and AT-802A aircraft (serials 802‑0001 through 802‑0081) to replace rudder control cables and rear fairleads with improved parts per Snow Engineering Service Letter No. 199. Prompted by a reported cable snap from fairlead wear, the mandate—to be completed within 500 flight hours after 3 Oct 2002—prevents loss of directional control and potential crashes."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Directive is consistent with the original safety objective described in the background: to correct rudder control cable wear at the aft fairlead by installing improved-design parts. It does not broaden the range of affected aircraft, nor add unrelated regulatory obligations; it prescribes a specific corrective action and timetable directed at that single unsafe condition."},"complexity_factors":["Single, narrowly targeted requirement (replace rudder cables and fairleads).","Applicability limited to 81 specific serial-numbered aircraft (802-0001 to 802-0081).","Cross-reference to Snow Engineering Company Service Letter No.199 for technical instructions (external document dependency).","Cross-reference to FAA AD 2002-15-06 (international regulatory reference).","Compliance expressed in hours time-in-service (operational metric) and an absolute effective date.","Legal basis cited: CAR 1998 subregulation 39.1(1) (single statutory hook)."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this directive does (mechanics)**\n\n- Requires replacement of the rudder control cables and the fairleads (the fittings that guide the cables) on specified Airtractor aircraft.\n- Applies to Airtractor models AT-802 and AT-802A with serial numbers 802-0001 through 802-0081.\n- The replacement must be carried out in accordance with Snow Engineering Company Service Letter No. 199, dated 30 May 2000 (that Service Letter contains the technical steps and parts to be used).\n- Compliance deadline: within 500 hours time in service after 3 October 2002, unless the replacement has already been done.\n- The Directive references FAA AD 2002-15-06 and becomes effective from 3 October 2002.\n\n**Who this affects**\n\n- Aircraft owners/operators of the affected AT-802 and AT-802A aeroplanes (serials 802-0001 to 802-0081) are required to arrange and pay for the replacements and any associated labour and downtime.\n- Maintenance organisations and licensed mechanics who perform the work must follow the Snow Engineering Service Letter when fitting the improved-design parts.\n- The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate issued the Directive under CAR 1998 subregulation 39.1(1); CASA enforces compliance.\n\n**Why it matters (official purpose and the safety issue)**\n\n- The stated reason is a reported failure of rudder control cable due to wear at the aft fairlead. A cable failure can impair rudder control and therefore flight safety.\n- The Directive mandates replacing the existing cables and fairleads with parts of an improved design to correct that unsafe condition.\n\n**Costs, incentives, trade-offs and practical effects**\n\n- Who pays: the owners/operators of the affected aircraft pay for parts, labour and the operational downtime while the work is done.\n- Direct costs are concentrated on a small, identifiable group (owners of the specified 81 serial-numbered aircraft). The safety benefit accrues to operators, crews and the flying public using the aircraft.\n- Opportunity cost: aircraft taken out of service for the replacement lose operational hours (relevant for agricultural or charter work commonly done by these types).\n- Implementation risk and compliance burden: the Directive requires following a specific service letter. That creates reliance on the availability of the Snow Engineering parts and instructions and on competent maintenance providers to perform and certify the work. Owners must retain records demonstrating compliance.\n- Effects on private choice and competition: the measure is prescriptive (requires a specific approved correction), limiting owners’ freedom to choose an alternative fix unless an alternative is approved by the regulator. For independent maintenance providers, this creates demand for the approved parts and specific repair skills but also restricts alternative aftermarket solutions absent further approvals.\n- Incentives over time: replacing to an improved design should reduce recurrence of the same failure mode and future maintenance/inspection costs, but imposes an immediate cost and downtime.\n\n**Administration and legal authority**\n\n- The AD is issued by a CASA delegate under CAR 1998 subregulation 39.1(1), which empowers the delegate to require actions necessary to correct an unsafe condition. The Directive sets the action, the manner (service letter), and the compliance timing.\n\n**Bottom line (practical summary)**\n\n- If you own or operate an AT-802/AT-802A with serial 802-0001 to 802-0081, you must replace the rudder control cables and fairleads using the Snow Engineering Service Letter No. 199 within 500 hours TIS after 3 October 2002 (unless already done). The mandate is focused on a specific safety defect (cable wear at the aft fairlead)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-at-800-4-rudder-control-cables-and-fairleads","history":"/api/acts/ad-at-800-4-rudder-control-cables-and-fairleads/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-at-800-4-rudder-control-cables-and-fairleads/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-at-800-4-rudder-control-cables-and-fairleads/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-at-800-4-rudder-control-cables-and-fairleads/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-at-800-4-rudder-control-cables-and-fairleads/documents"}}