{"id":"F2006B08549","name":"AD/CHA/22 Amdt 2 - Front Spar Wing Strut Upper Attachment Fitting","slug":"ad-cha-22-amdt-2-front-spar-wing-strut-upper-attachment-fitting","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":51341,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B08549-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/CHA/22 Amdt 2 - Front Spar Wing Strut Upper Attachment Fitting","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)  \nAmerican Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/CHA/22\n\nAmdt 2\n\n  \nFront Spar Wing Strut Upper Attachment Fitting 11/90\n\nApplicability: All model 8KCAB aircraft .\n\nNote: Although the Applicability is limited to the 8KCAB, the requirement may in future be extended to other models (particularly the aerobatic 7 series) if subsequent service experience and/or analysis so indicates.\n\nRequirement: 1. For P/N 2-1976 fittings. Remove the left and right front spar wing strut upper attachment fittings P/N 2-1976 from the aircraft and conduct a magnetic particle inspection in accordance with the procedures outlined in CAO 108-8 Issue 1, paying particular attention to the welds which connect the strut attachment bolt hole reinforcement plates to the forward and aft “U” channels.\n\nNote : Ensure that the fitting is re-protected after inspection.\n\n2. For P/N 3-1658 fittings. Retire P/N 3-1658 fittings from service.\n\nCompliance: For Requirement 1: Prior to the accumulation of 500 hours component time in service or within 50 hours component time in service after 3 September 1990, whichever occurs later, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 250 hours component time in service.\n\nNote: For aircraft with fittings which have exceeded 500 hours, aerobatic manoeuvres should not be flown until the initial inspection has been carried out.\n\nFor Requirement 2: Prior to exceeding 1500 hours component time in service.\n\nBackground: There have been five reported overseas occurrences of fatigue cracking emanating from the weld area, including one in-flight failure in P/N 2-1976 fittings on 8KCAB aircraft. This amendment limits the Applicability to the Decathlon, replaces the previous one time fluorescent dye penetrant inspection with a repetitive off-aircraft magnetic particle inspection, and promulgates the recommended 1500 hour life limitation for the replacement fittings P/N 3-1658. FAA AD 90-15-15 and American Champion Aircraft Corporation Service Letter 402 refer.","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"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This is Amendment 2, which has narrowed the scope from broader applicability to specifically the 8KCAB model only, while simultaneously deepening the technical requirements. The original directive likely applied more broadly; this version restricts applicability to the Decathlon specifically but adds repetitive inspection requirements (replacing a one-time check) and introduces a hard retirement life for replacement parts. The 'Note' about potential future extension to other models indicates the regulator is keeping scope flexible for expansion based on service experience."},"complexity_factors":["Two distinct part numbers with completely different compliance requirements (inspection vs. retirement)","Multiple compliance timeframes: initial deadlines (500 hours or 50 hours post-September 1990), repetitive intervals (250 hours), and life limits (1500 hours)","Cross-reference to external technical standard: CAO 108-8 Issue 1 (Civil Aviation Order specifying inspection procedures)","Conditional logic: 'whichever occurs later' for initial compliance timing","Operational restriction embedded in note: aerobatic prohibition for high-time uninspected components","Applicability note suggesting potential future expansion to other models creates regulatory uncertainty"],"plain_english_summary":"This directive requires owners, operators, and maintenance organisations of American Champion 8KCAB Decathlon aeroplanes to perform mandatory inspections and life‑limits on the front spar wing‑strut upper attachment fitting — older fittings must be magnetic‑particle inspected for weld cracks and protected, while replacement fittings must be permanently retired at their life limit. \n\nIssued after overseas fatigue cracking and one in‑flight failure, the rule prevents catastrophic wing collapse; aircraft with high‑time fittings must cease aerobatics until inspected."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Scope was narrowed and proceduralised: applicability is limited to model 8KCAB (Decathlon) while inspection methodology changed from a one-time dye-penetrant check to repetitive off-aircraft magnetic particle inspections and a 1500 hour retirement life was added for P/N 3-1658 (Background; Requirement 1 & 2). The instrument also leaves open possible extension to other models based on future service experience (Applicability note)."},"complexity_factors":["Different mandatory actions for two part numbers: repetitive inspection for P/N 2-1976 and retirement for P/N 3-1658 (Requirement 1 & 2).","Off-aircraft magnetic particle inspection required and must follow CAO 108-8 Issue 1 procedures (Requirement 1).","Component-time tracking and multiple time triggers: initial inspection before 500 hours or within 50 hours after 3 Sep 1990, then every 250 hours; retirement before 1500 hours for P/N 3-1658 (Compliance).","Operational constraint: aerobatic manoeuvres should not be flown if fittings have exceeded 500 hours until inspection is completed (Compliance note).","Post-inspection preservation obligation: fittings must be re-protected after inspection (Requirement 1).","Reference to external authority and documents (CAO 108-8, FAA AD 90-15-15, Service Letter 402) creates dependency on external procedures and advisories (Background).","Possibility of future expansion to other models introduces scope uncertainty (Applicability note)."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires removal and off-aircraft magnetic particle inspection of front-spar wing strut upper attachment fittings P/N 2‑1976 on 8KCAB (Decathlon) aircraft at set component‑time thresholds and thereafter every 250 hours, and mandates retirement of replacement fittings P/N 3‑1658 before 1500 hours. The AD cites five overseas fatigue‑cracking reports, including an in‑flight failure, as its rationale. Owners/operators bear inspection, re‑protection and replacement costs; aerobatic flight is discouraged until the initial inspection if fittings have exceeded 500 hours."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-cha-22-amdt-2-front-spar-wing-strut-upper-attachment-fitting","history":"/api/acts/ad-cha-22-amdt-2-front-spar-wing-strut-upper-attachment-fitting/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-cha-22-amdt-2-front-spar-wing-strut-upper-attachment-fitting/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-cha-22-amdt-2-front-spar-wing-strut-upper-attachment-fitting/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-cha-22-amdt-2-front-spar-wing-strut-upper-attachment-fitting/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-cha-22-amdt-2-front-spar-wing-strut-upper-attachment-fitting/documents"}}