{"id":"F2006L01101","name":"AD/CONVAIR/6 - Elevator Outer Torque Tube Assembly","slug":"ad-convair-6-elevator-outer-torque-tube-assembly","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":58451,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006L01101-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/6 | Elevator Outer Torque Tube Assembly | 5/2006 |\n| ------------ | ----------------------------------- | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | All model 340 and 440, and all such model aircraft converted to turbopropeller power.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |\n| -------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | Perform a visual inspection of both left and right hand elevator outer torque tube assembly part number 340-3540304 attachment to flange part number 240-3540320 for evidence of loose or sheared rivets, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of paragraph 2 of General Dynamics Convair Division Service Bulletin 640 (340D) 27-6.If any loose or sheared rivets in the elevator torque tube to flange attachment are found, replace all rivets with interference fitting steel fasteners in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of paragraph 2 of Service Bulletin 640 (340D) 27-6.Note: FAA AD 81-22-02 Amdt 39-4236 refers. |\n| Compliance:    | Within 700 hours time in service after 11 May 2006, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 700 hours time in service.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |\n|                | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 11 May 2006.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |\n| Background:    | The FAA received reports of loose aluminium rivets on the elevator torque tube at the flange attachment. This condition could result in sheared rivets and potential loss of elevator control.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nDavid Villiers  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n29 March 2006","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/CONVAIR/6","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/CONVAIR/6","content":"## AD/CONVAIR/6","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Elevator Outer Torque Tube Assembly","sectionType":"part","heading":"Elevator Outer Torque Tube Assembly","content":"## Elevator Outer Torque Tube Assembly","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"5/2006","sectionType":"part","heading":"5/2006","content":"## 5/2006","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard Airworthiness Directive with a narrow, targeted scope. It addresses a specific safety defect in a specific aircraft type and does not appear to have expanded beyond its original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical component addressed (elevator outer torque tube assembly)","Only two possible outcomes: inspection passes, or rivets must be replaced","Clear compliance timeframe (700 hours time in service)","References only one external technical document (Service Bulletin 640 (340D) 27-6)","No nested exceptions or conditional logic","Minimal defined terms (only standard aviation terminology like 'time in service')","Short document length (approximately 200 words of substantive content)"],"plain_english_summary":"CASA requires owners/operators of Convair 340/440 (including turboprop conversions) to inspect the elevator outer torque tube rivets for loose or broken aluminium rivets and replace them with steel fasteners if defects are found. Initial inspection within 700 flight hours from 11 May 2006, then every 700 hours. This prevents potential elevator control loss identified by the FAA."},"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":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive remains narrowly targeted at a specific unsafe condition (loose/aluminium rivets at the elevator torque tube flange). It does not broaden regulatory scope beyond that technical remedy (inspection and replacement per the referenced service bulletin). There is no indication in this text that the remit has expanded beyond the original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Short and narrowly focused: single safety issue (elevator torque tube rivets).","Few defined items: two part numbers and one service bulletin referenced.","Simple compliance timing: single recurring interval (700 hours).","Single inspection method (visual) with one clear corrective action (replace rivets with interference‑fit steel fasteners).","One external cross‑reference: General Dynamics Service Bulletin 640 (340D) 27‑6 and a note to FAA AD 81‑22‑02 — limited cross‑referencing rather than complex multi‑part links."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument requires (mechanically)**\n\n- It applies to all Convair (Kelowna Flightcraft/General Dynamics) model 340 and 440 aeroplanes, including those converted to turboprop power. (Applicability)\n- Operators must visually inspect both left and right elevator outer torque tube assemblies where part number 340-3540304 attaches to flange part number 240-3540320 for loose or sheared rivets, following the Accomplishment Instructions of paragraph 2 of General Dynamics Convair Service Bulletin 640 (340D) 27-6. (Requirement)\n- If any loose or sheared rivets are found at that attachment, all rivets in that attachment must be replaced with interference‑fitting steel fasteners, again per the service bulletin instructions. (Requirement)\n- The first inspection must be done within 700 hours time in service after 11 May 2006, and the inspection must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 700 hours time in service thereafter. (Compliance)\n- The directive cites prior related FAA material (FAA AD 81-22-02 Amdt 39-4236) as relevant background. (Requirement/Note)\n\n**Who is affected**\n\n- Aircraft owners and operators of Convair model 340 and 440 aircraft (including turboprop conversions).\n- Maintenance organisations and certificated mechanics who perform the inspections and rivet replacements using the referenced service bulletin.\n\n**Why it matters (safety rationale and mechanism)**\n\n- The regulator’s stated reason is reports of loose aluminium rivets at the elevator torque tube flange attachment. Loose or sheared rivets at that location could lead to loss of elevator control. (Background)\n- The measure reduces that risk by forcing recurring visual checks and mandating replacement of aluminium rivets with interference‑fit steel fasteners where defects are found. (Requirement)\n\n**Practical effects, costs and incentives**\n\n- Direct cost to operators: labour hours for the initial and recurrent inspections every 700 hours, and the cost of parts and labour to replace rivets where defects are found. The replacement requires interference‑fit steel fasteners rather than standard aluminium rivets (Requirement). Who pays: the aircraft owner/operator pays for inspections and any replacements.\n- Behavioural effect on maintenance: increases preventive inspection workload and may increase replacement work in aircraft with rivet deterioration. Maintenance schedules must accommodate a recurring 700‑hour inspection interval (Compliance).\n- Decision rights and discretion: the directive prescribes the inspection method and replacement hardware by referencing a specific manufacturer service bulletin. Maintenance providers must follow that bulletin’s Accomplishment Instructions to comply (Requirement). The regulator enforces compliance; operators must document actions per usual maintenance recordkeeping rules.\n- Trade-offs and implementation risks: the directive trades periodic inspection and selective retrofit work against the risk of an in‑flight loss of elevator control. Risks in implementation include correct interpretation of the service bulletin, variability in visual inspection sensitivity (some defects may be missed), and potential downtime while replacements are performed.\n- Market and competition effects: the requirement references a specific service bulletin and part numbers; that focuses work on providers capable of following that bulletin and sourcing the specified interference‑fit steel fasteners. The directive does not create new ownership or operational restrictions beyond the inspection and replacement obligations.\n- Concentrated benefits and diffuse costs: the safety benefit—reduced risk of elevator failure—is concentrated to each affected aircraft and its occupants; the cost (inspection and replacement) is borne by the aircraft owner/operator. There is no subsidy or indemnity in the directive.\n\n**Cross‑references and technical notes**\n\n- Compliance must follow paragraph 2 of Service Bulletin 640 (340D) 27‑6, which contains the detailed inspection and replacement instructions (Requirement).\n- The directive notes FAA AD 81‑22‑02 Amdt 39‑4236 as related prior material (Requirement/Note).\n\n(Sections cited: Applicability; Requirement; Compliance; Background.)"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-convair-6-elevator-outer-torque-tube-assembly","history":"/api/acts/ad-convair-6-elevator-outer-torque-tube-assembly/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-convair-6-elevator-outer-torque-tube-assembly/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-convair-6-elevator-outer-torque-tube-assembly/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-convair-6-elevator-outer-torque-tube-assembly/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-convair-6-elevator-outer-torque-tube-assembly/documents"}}