{"id":"F2006B04770","name":"AD/BN-2/59 - Rudder Control Cables","slug":"ad-bn-2-59-rudder-control-cables","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":44534,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B04770-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/BN-2/59 - Rudder Control Cables","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\nmeta-generator: Aspose.Words for .NET 22.10.0\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n \n\n![](image.001.png)  Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/BN-2/59 Rudder Control Cables 5/96\n\nApplicability: All Islander aircraft.\n\n \n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with Pilatus Britten-Norman Mandatory Service Bulletin BN- 2/SB 223 Issue 1.\n\n \n\nNote: UK CAA AD 005-06-95 refers.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Unless already accomplished; within 100 hours time in service after 25 April 1996, or when the rudder system is dismantled, whichever occurs first.\n\n \n\nBackground:  The rudder system idler levers at stn.220 are designed to prevent incorrect (crossed) connection at the rudder cables. Incorrect positioning of the fouling bushes at manufacture has made it possible to assemble the rudder system with crossed control cables.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive addressing a specific manufacturing defect in a specific aircraft type. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating a single safety fix."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific aircraft type (Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 series)","Single mechanical defect with straightforward corrective action","No defined terms section — uses plain technical language","Simple compliance deadline (100 hours or next maintenance, whichever first)","No cross-references to other legislation beyond a single note about a UK equivalent directive","No conditional logic, exceptions, or nested provisions","Total length: approximately 150 words of substantive content"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive** — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for specific aircraft.\n\n**What it does:**\nOrders owners and operators of **Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 \"Islander\" aircraft** to inspect and fix a dangerous manufacturing defect in the rudder control system.\n\n**The problem:**\nThe rudder system has \"idler levers\" (mechanical parts that redirect cable movement) designed to stop the control cables from being accidentally crossed during assembly. However, due to a manufacturing error with \"fouling bushes\" (small spacer components), it was possible for mechanics to assemble the system with the cables crossed — meaning left rudder pedal input could move the rudder right, and vice versa. This is obviously catastrophic for flight safety.\n\n**What must be done:**\nOperators must follow the manufacturer's official repair instructions (Mandatory Service Bulletin BN-2/SB 223 Issue 1) to correct this defect.\n\n**Who it affects:**\nAnyone who owns, operates, or maintains Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander aircraft in Australia.\n\n**When it must be done:**\nWithin 100 hours of flight time after 25 April 1996, or whenever the rudder system is next taken apart for maintenance — whichever comes first.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nCrossed rudder cables could cause the aircraft to turn the opposite direction from what the pilot commands, potentially leading to loss of control and crashes. This directive prevents that by forcing a one-time safety fix."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD’s scope remains as stated in the document: it applies to all Islander aircraft and requires action in accordance with Pilatus Britten-Norman Mandatory Service Bulletin BN-2/SB 223 Issue 1 within the specified timeframe or at the next dismantling of the rudder system (see \"Applicability\", \"Requirement\", \"Compliance\"). No change of scope from the instrument’s original stated requirements is indicated in the supplied text."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability: applies to a single aircraft type — all Islander aircraft (\"Applicability\").","Prescriptive linkage to an external technical document: compliance requires following Pilatus Britten-Norman Mandatory Service Bulletin BN-2/SB 223 Issue 1 rather than steps being set out in the AD itself (\"Requirement\").","Time-limited compliance window tied to aircraft usage or maintenance state: within 100 hours TIS after 25 April 1996, or when the rudder system is dismantled, whichever occurs first (\"Compliance\").","Technical nature of the work: inspection and possible adjustment/repair of rudder idler levers and fouling bushes at station 220 requires qualified maintenance skills (implied by the technical subject matter and reference to the manufacturer’s service bulletin).","Dependency on availability and correct application of the manufacturer’s bulletin: effectiveness depends on maintenance organisations having access to and correctly following BN-2/SB 223 Issue 1 (\"Requirement\")."],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires owners/operators of all Islander aeroplanes to inspect and, if needed, modify the rudder control cable installation by following Pilatus Britten‑Norman Mandatory Service Bulletin BN‑2/SB 223 Issue 1. It responds to a manufacture-related risk that fouling bushes can allow rudder cables to be assembled crossed; the work reduces that risk. Responsibility (and costs) fall to operators and their maintenance organisations; work must be done within 100 hours TIS after 25 April 1996 or at the next rudder dismantle."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bn-2-59-rudder-control-cables","history":"/api/acts/ad-bn-2-59-rudder-control-cables/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bn-2-59-rudder-control-cables/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bn-2-59-rudder-control-cables/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bn-2-59-rudder-control-cables/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bn-2-59-rudder-control-cables/documents"}}