{"id":"F2006B08270","name":"AD/CESSNA 340/25 Amdt 2 - Rudder Balance Weight Attachment Rib","slug":"ad-cessna-340-25-amdt-2-rudder-balance-weight-attachment-rib","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":115580,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B08270-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/CESSNA 340/25 Amdt 2 - Rudder Balance Weight Attachment Rib","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)  \nCessna 340 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/CESSNA 340/25\n\nAmdt 2\n\n  \nRudder Balance Weight Attachment Rib 11/97\n\nApplicability: Cessna model 340, serial number 340-0001 to 340-0555 inclusive, and model 340A, serial number 340A0001 to 340A1521 inclusive, which do not have rudder balance weight rib part number 5331004-2 installed.\n\nNote: Cessna Service Information Letter ME 82-8, dated April 2, 1982, refers.\n\nRequirement: Remove the fibreglass rudder tip cap and visually inspect the rudder balance weight rib, part number 0831311-1, for cracks.\n\nNote: FAA AD 82-26-05 refers.\n\nCompliance: Inspect before issue of the next maintenance release after 9 October 1997. Thereafter inspect at intervals not to exceed 120 hours time in service.\n\nThis airworthiness directive becomes effective on 9 October 1997.\n\nBackground: Cracking of the rudder balance weight attachment rib was detected in early production aircraft. Later aircraft had an improved rudder balance weight attachment rib which does not require specific inspections to be made. The improved part should continue to be inspected as part of routine aircraft maintenance.\n\nThis amendment has been made to clarify the inspection requirement. An inspection was not specified by the requirement document included in the previous amendment. The repeat inspection interval has also been extended to accommodate those aircraft using an approved system of maintenance.\n\nAmendment 1 of this airworthiness directive became effective on 31 July 1984. The initial issue of this airworthiness directive became effective on 30 April 1983.","sortOrder":0}],"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The amendment clarifies an inspection requirement that was previously unspecified and extends the repeat inspection interval (Background; This amendment has been made...). It keeps the improved rib (P/N 5331004-2) outside the specific inspection requirement while leaving it subject to routine maintenance (Applicability; Background)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability limited to specific serial-number ranges and conditional on absence of improved rib P/N 5331004-2 (Applicability).","Physical maintenance action: removal of fibreglass rudder tip cap and visual inspection of rib P/N 0831311-1 (Requirement).","Clear numerical part references that must be checked against aircraft records (Requirement).","Timing and repeat schedule: initial inspection before the next maintenance release after 9 Oct 1997, then at intervals ≤120 hours TIS (Compliance).","Cross-references to external documents (Cessna Service Information Letter ME 82-8 and FAA AD 82-26-05) which operators may need to consult (Note/Requirement).","Amendment text clarifies an earlier omission and extends the repeat interval to accommodate approved maintenance systems, introducing conditional compliance paths (Background).","Enforcement via airworthiness directive and maintenance-release processes creates administrative tracking requirements for operators (Compliance)."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires owners/operators of Cessna 340 and 340A aeroplanes within specified serial ranges that do not have rudder balance weight rib P/N 5331004-2 fitted to remove the fibreglass rudder tip cap and visually inspect the rudder balance weight attachment rib (P/N 0831311-1) for cracks. Inspections must be done before the next maintenance release after 9 October 1997 and then at intervals not exceeding 120 hours. The rule responds to detected cracking in early-production aircraft; owners bear inspection costs and must schedule recurring checks."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This amendment remains tightly focused on its original purpose: ensuring the structural integrity of the rudder balance weight attachment rib on specific Cessna 340 aircraft. The changes from Amendment 1 to Amendment 2 are minor clarifications (specifying the inspection type) and operational adjustments (extending the inspection interval). The scope has not expanded beyond the specific airworthiness issue identified in the original 1983 directive."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical inspection requirement with clear part numbers","Limited applicability: only two aircraft models with defined serial number ranges, excluding those with a specific replacement part","Straightforward compliance timeline: one initial deadline plus fixed 120-hour recurring interval","No nested exceptions, conditional logic, or cross-references to other legislation beyond a single FAA directive reference","Total length: approximately 250 words across 6 short sections"],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires owners/operators of specified Cessna 340/340A serials (unless fitted with rudder part 5331004-2) to remove the rudder tip cap and visually inspect the balance weight rib (0831311-1) for cracks before the next maintenance release after 9 Oct 1997, then every 120 flight hours.\n\nCracked ribs have been found in early production aircraft; failure could allow the balance weight to detach and cause loss of control. Amendment 2 clarifies the inspection and sets the 120‑hour interval."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-340-25-amdt-2-rudder-balance-weight-attachment-rib","history":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-340-25-amdt-2-rudder-balance-weight-attachment-rib/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-340-25-amdt-2-rudder-balance-weight-attachment-rib/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-340-25-amdt-2-rudder-balance-weight-attachment-rib/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-340-25-amdt-2-rudder-balance-weight-attachment-rib/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-340-25-amdt-2-rudder-balance-weight-attachment-rib/documents"}}