{"id":"F2006B08562","name":"AD/CHA/9 - Fuselage Structure and Control Cables","slug":"ad-cha-9-fuselage-structure-and-control-cables","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":51389,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B08562-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/CHA/9 - Fuselage Structure and Control Cables","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/9 Fuselage Structure and Control Cables 8/72\n\nApplicability: Models 7GCAA, 7GCBC, 7KCAB and 8KCAB not fitted with an approved battery box which will ensure that battery acid spillage is drained overboard.\n\nRequirement: 1. Inspect the elevator and rudder control cables in the battery area for evidence of corrosion caused by battery acid spillage.\n\n    2. Inspect the battery compartment area for evidence of battery acid corrosion of airframe components other than control cables.\n\n    3. Install a battery box which will ensure that any acid spillage is drained overboard.\n\nCompliance: For Paras. 1 and 2 \\- Within 10 hours time in service or 30 days after 29 August 1972 whichever occurs first and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours time in service until modified in accordance with Para 3.\n\nFor Para. 3 \\- Before 1 March 1973.","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 mechanical hazard. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of preventing battery acid corrosion in specific aircraft models."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific safety issue addressed (battery acid corrosion)","Only 4 aircraft models affected with clear applicability criteria","Three straightforward requirements: two inspections and one installation","Simple conditional logic (applies only if approved battery box NOT fitted)","No defined terms section or cross-references to other legislation","Clear, fixed compliance dates and intervals","Total length: approximately 200 words"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive** (a mandatory safety order) issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority for specific American Champion aeroplane models.\n\n**What it does:**\nOrders owners and operators of certain light aircraft (Models 7GCAA, 7GCBC, 7KCAB and 8KCAB) to fix a dangerous design flaw where battery acid can spill onto and corrode critical flight control cables and the airframe.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of these specific American Champion aircraft models\n- Only applies if the aircraft does **not** already have an approved battery box that drains acid overboard\n\n**What must be done:**\n1. **Inspect** the elevator and rudder control cables near the battery for acid damage\n2. **Inspect** the battery compartment itself for corrosion damage to the airframe\n3. **Install** a proper battery box that drains any spilled acid outside the aircraft (not onto vital components)\n\n**When it must be done:**\n- Inspections: Within 10 flight hours or 30 days after 29 August 1972 (whichever comes first), then repeated every 25 flight hours until the fix is installed\n- Installation of the new battery box: Before 1 March 1973\n\n**Why it matters:**\nCorroded control cables can snap in flight, causing loss of control and potentially fatal crashes. This directive prevents that by ensuring battery acid cannot damage the aircraft's structure or controls."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive sets requirements that are consistent with its stated applicability and actions: inspect specified components for battery-acid corrosion and install an approved battery box that drains spillage overboard. The text contains no indication that the scope has been expanded or narrowed from the instrument's own stated applicability and requirements (Applicability; Paras. 1–3; Compliance)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability limited to four specific aircraft models and conditional on absence of an approved battery box (Applicability).","Three discrete requirements: two inspection tasks and one mandatory modification (Paras. 1–3).","Time-based compliance windows and a recurring inspection interval until modification (Compliance for Paras. 1–3).","Technical nature of inspections (corrosion of control cables and other airframe components) requiring maintenance expertise (Paras. 1–2).","Partial discretion left to approval process for the battery box (Para. 3) — the instrument requires an 'approved' solution but does not define the approval criteria."],"plain_english_summary":"This directive requires owners/operators of specified American Champion models without an approved draining battery box to inspect for battery‑acid corrosion around control cables and the battery compartment, repeat inspections frequently until they fit an approved battery box that drains acid overboard, and complete that installation by 1 March 1973. \n\nIt matters because it prevents corrosion-related safety risks, shifts recurring inspection burdens into a one‑off modification cost, and places compliance costs and scheduling responsibility squarely on aircraft owners/operators."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-cha-9-fuselage-structure-and-control-cables","history":"/api/acts/ad-cha-9-fuselage-structure-and-control-cables/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-cha-9-fuselage-structure-and-control-cables/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-cha-9-fuselage-structure-and-control-cables/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-cha-9-fuselage-structure-and-control-cables/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-cha-9-fuselage-structure-and-control-cables/documents"}}