{"id":"F2006L01065","name":"AD/CONVAIR/17 - Pilot and Co-Pilot Direct Vision Window Frame Casting","slug":"ad-convair-17-pilot-and-co-pilot-direct-vision-window-frame-casting","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":58374,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006L01065-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Kelowna Flightcraft (General Dynamics/Co","sectionType":"division","heading":"Kelowna Flightcraft (General Dynamics/Convair) Series Aeroplanes","content":"### Kelowna Flightcraft (General Dynamics/Convair) Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/CONVAIR/17 | Pilot and Co-Pilot Direct VisionWindow Frame Casting | 5/2006 |\n| ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | Model 340 and 440 aircraft, and all such model aircraft converted to turbopropeller power.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |\n| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | 1. Inspect all visible areas of the main body of each Pilot and Co-pilot Direct Vision Window Frame Casting (Casting) part numbers (P/N) 340-3110314-9, -10, -13, and -14, for cracks by means of either a visual inspection using an 8x magnifying glass, a dye penetrant method, or an eddy current method (with special attention given to the lower left and right hand corner of the Casting).If cracking is detected in a Casting accomplish the following as appropriate:2. If the cracked Casting is completely severed at any point, replace the affected Casting with a new part, P/N 340-3110314-9 or -13 (left hand side) or P/N340-3110314-10 or -14 (right hand side). The aircraft may be flown at a cabin pressure differential of zero p.s.i. to a base where the replacement can be accomplished.3. If the cracked Casting is not completely severed at any point, replace the affected casting with a new part, P/N 340-3110314-9 or -13 (left hand side) or P/N340-3110314-10 or -14 (right hand side); with the following operating restrictions applying until replacement:The affected aircraft must be operated at a cabin pressure differential of zero p.s.i.; and,Before the initial takeoff after detection of the initial crack, an operating limitation in the form of a placard must be installed in the affected aircraft in clear view of the pilots stating: “Operation Limitation. Pressurised Flight Prohibited.”Note 1: For the purposes of complying with this Directive, the main body of the Casting includes only that part of the Casting which outlines the Direct View Window and does not include the attach flanges.Note 2: FAA AD 68-07-01 Amdt 39-568 refers. |\n\n| Compliance: | For Requirement 1:For Castings with 4,500 or more hours time in service; within 250 hours time in service after 11 May 2006, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 250 hours time in service.For Castings with less than 4,500 hours time in service; before the accumulation of 4,750 hours time in service, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 250 hours time in service.2. Before further flight; except that the aircraft may be flown at a cabin pressure differential of zero p.s.i. to a base where the replacement can be accomplished.3. Within 250 hours time in service after detection of the initial cracking; with operating restrictions Requirements 3.a. and 3.b. in place until replacement.Note: Operators who do not have records of hours time in service of individual Castings, shall substitute aircraft hours time in service in lieu. |\n| ----------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n|             | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 11 May 2006.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |\n| Background: | The FAA received numerous reports of cracks in the Pilot and Co-pilot Direct Vision Window Frame Castings. Such cracking affects the structural integrity of the Casting, and in some cases has caused loss of cabin pressurisation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nDavid Villiers  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n31 March 2006","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/CONVAIR/17","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/CONVAIR/17","content":"## AD/CONVAIR/17","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Pilot and Co-Pilot Direct VisionWindow F","sectionType":"part","heading":"Pilot and Co-Pilot Direct VisionWindow Frame Casting","content":"## Pilot and Co-Pilot Direct Vision  \nWindow Frame Casting","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"5/2006","sectionType":"part","heading":"5/2006","content":"## 5/2006","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD targets a defined set of Convair 340/440 aircraft and specific casting part numbers and does not broaden obligations beyond those components. Its scope aligns with the stated intent to address casting cracking and associated pressurisation loss reported to the FAA."},"complexity_factors":["Technical inspection options: 8x visual, dye‑penetrant, or eddy‑current methods (Requirement 1).","Multiple affected part numbers and left/right distinctions (P/N 340‑3110314‑9, ‑10, ‑13, ‑14).","Different inspection thresholds based on hours-in-service (≥4,500 vs <4,500) and recurring 250‑hour intervals (Compliance).","Operational mitigation allowed (ferry flight at zero cabin differential) versus immediate replacement before further pressurised flight (Requirements 2–3).","Mandatory placard installation and wording requirement before next takeoff after detection (Requirement 3.b.).","Record-keeping substitution rule: aircraft hours may be used if individual casting hours are unavailable (Compliance Note).","Cross-reference to an earlier FAA AD (Note 2) which may affect interpretation or follow-up actions."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of Convair Model 340 and 440 aeroplanes (including turboprop conversions) to inspect specific pilot and co‑pilot direct‑vision window frame castings for cracks, and to replace any cracked casting. If a crack is not fully severed the aircraft must be flown unpressurised and carry a visible placard prohibiting pressurised flight until replacement. The measure, prompted by reports of cracking and loss of cabin pressurisation, places inspection, placarding and replacement costs and downtime on aircraft operators."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard single-issue Airworthiness Directive addressing a specific safety defect in a specific aircraft type. The scope remains tightly focused on the original safety concern regarding window frame casting cracks and has not expanded beyond this original purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Single specific technical subject matter (window frame castings)","Four specific part numbers referenced with left/right distinctions","Three distinct compliance pathways based on crack severity (no crack, partial crack, complete severance)","Two-tier compliance schedule based on hours-in-service thresholds (4,500 hour breakpoint)","Cross-reference to FAA AD 68-07-01 for background context","Defined term 'main body of the Casting' with explicit exclusion of attach flanges in Note 1","Operating restriction requires physical placard installation with specific wording"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive mandates inspection of the pilot/co‑pilot direct-vision window frame castings on Convair 340/440 (including turboprop conversions) for cracks that could cause loss of cabin pressurisation. \n\nIf a frame is broken it must be replaced and the aircraft may only ferry unpressurised to repair; cracked but intact frames must be replaced within 250 flight hours and the aircraft flown unpressurised with a cockpit placard. Operators of these vintage Convairs are affected."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-convair-17-pilot-and-co-pilot-direct-vision-window-frame-casting","history":"/api/acts/ad-convair-17-pilot-and-co-pilot-direct-vision-window-frame-casting/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-convair-17-pilot-and-co-pilot-direct-vision-window-frame-casting/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-convair-17-pilot-and-co-pilot-direct-vision-window-frame-casting/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-convair-17-pilot-and-co-pilot-direct-vision-window-frame-casting/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-convair-17-pilot-and-co-pilot-direct-vision-window-frame-casting/documents"}}