{"id":"F2006B08652","name":"AD/CON/76 - Superior Pistons","slug":"ad-con-76-superior-pistons","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":51721,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B08652-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/CON/76 - Superior Pistons","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 106 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nTeledyne Continental Motors Piston Engines\n\nAD/CON/76 Superior Pistons 10/96\n\nApplicability: Teledyne Continental Motors O-470-K, \\-L and \\-R model engines fitted with Superior Air Parts Inc. Parts Manufacturing Approval (PMA) pistons part number SA626992 or SA626992P15.\n\nRequirement: To prevent piston failure which could result in engine power loss or engine failure, replace Superior Air Parts pistons P/N SA626992 or SA626992P15 with pistons as detailed in approved maintenance data, including appropriate PMA listings.\n\nNote 1: This directive does not require engines to be disassembled to identify the piston part number. Even if the applicable Superior pistons are fitted, the engine may remain in service until the next disassembly which permits access to the pistons.\n\nNote 2: Applicable Superior pistons can be identified by the part number SA626922 or SA626922P15 stamped into the piston dome, or by a raised casting number SA632932 evident along one of the piston pin bosses.\n\nNote 3: FAA Airworthiness Directive 96-12-04 refers.\n\nCompliance: At next disassembly of the engine, for whatever reason, which permits access to the pistons, effective on 12 September 1996.\n\nBackground: This directive requires certain pistons to be removed from service. The requirement is in response to the issue of an FAA airworthiness directive on this subject. The FAA airworthiness directive follows the manufacturer's advice of a possible manufacturing defect in certain pistons.","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":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive addressing a specific manufacturing defect in specific aftermarket parts. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of removing defective pistons from service."},"complexity_factors":["Single, clearly defined applicability clause targeting specific engine models and part numbers","Straightforward compliance trigger ('at next disassembly') with no conditional exceptions","Only 3 brief notes providing identification guidance and cross-reference","No defined terms section or complex interpretive provisions","Single requirement with clear purpose statement","Minimal cross-referencing (only one reference to FAA AD 96-12-04)"],"plain_english_summary":"CASA has issued a mandatory Airworthiness Directive ordering replacement of certain Superior Air Parts pistons (listed part numbers SA626992 and SA626992P15) installed in Teledyne Continental Motors O‑470‑K/L/R engines because of a suspected manufacturing defect that can cause piston failure and total engine loss. Aircraft need not be grounded immediately, but when the engine is next opened for maintenance the pistons must be replaced; affected pistons are identified by dome stamps SA626922/SA626922P15 or casting number SA632932."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope remains limited to the specified Teledyne Continental O-470‑K/L/R engines and the listed Superior Air Parts piston part numbers. The directive implements the FAA AD’s corrective action by requiring removal and replacement at next disassembly and does not expand coverage beyond those engines or parts as described in the instrument (Applicability; Requirement; Background)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability to specific engine models and piston part numbers increases precision but requires accurate parts records (Applicability).","Deferred compliance trigger—‘at next disassembly’—reduces immediate operational disruption but creates ongoing tracking and scheduling burden for owners/operators (Compliance; Note 1).","Identification relies on stamped part numbers or a raised casting number, which generally requires disassembly or close inspection (Note 2; Note 1).","Replacement must follow ‘approved maintenance data’ including appropriate PMA listings, requiring access to and reliance on external approval documents (Requirement).","Textual inconsistency between part numbers in the Requirement (`SA626992` / `SA626992P15`) and Note 2 (`SA626922` / `SA626922P15`) creates ambiguity that may require regulator or manufacturer clarification (Requirement vs Note 2).","Cross-reference to an FAA Airworthiness Directive links this instrument to foreign regulatory action and may require operators to consult multiple documents (Background; Note 3).","Financial burden falls on aircraft owners/operators for parts and labour; no funding or substitution mechanism is provided in the text (Requirement; Compliance).","Specified effective date (12 September 1996) establishes a clear compliance baseline but also implies retrospective application for past disassemblies (Compliance)."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires replacement of Superior Air Parts pistons (`P/N SA626992` or `SA626992P15`) in Teledyne Continental O-470‑K/L/R engines when the engine is next disassembled, with replacements fitted according to approved maintenance data. Engines may remain in service until that disassembly and affected pistons can be identified by stamped or casting numbers. The directive cites an FAA AD and the manufacturer’s advice of a possible manufacturing defect. Owners/operators pay for replacements and must track disassembly timing and approved PMA replacement listings."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-con-76-superior-pistons","history":"/api/acts/ad-con-76-superior-pistons/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-con-76-superior-pistons/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-con-76-superior-pistons/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-con-76-superior-pistons/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-con-76-superior-pistons/documents"}}