{"id":"F2006L01098","name":"AD/CONVAIR/9 - Wing Front Spar Lower Caps","slug":"ad-convair-9-wing-front-spar-lower-caps","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":58445,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006L01098-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/9 | Wing Front Spar Lower Caps | 5/2006 |\n| ------------ | -------------------------- | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | Model 340 and 440 aircraft, and all such model aircraft converted to turbopropeller power.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |\n| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | 1. Accomplish, from the exterior of the wing, a visual inspection of both the left and right wing front spar lower caps in areas adjacent to each side of main landing gear drag strut attachment fittings for cracks.2. Gain access to the wing interior in the area specified in Requirement 1 by removing the lower wing skin access cover. Accomplish the Requirement 1 visual inspection.If cracks are found during any inspection, before further flight, repair in accordance with a scheme approved by the FAA or CASA.Note: FAA AD 73-07-01 Amdt 39-1608 refers. |\n| Compliance:    | 1. At each daily inspection, until the Requirement 2 inspection requirements are initiated.2. Within 100 hours time in service after 11 May 2006, unless already accomplished within the last 500 hours time in service, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 600 hours time in service.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |\n|                | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 11 May 2006.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |\n| Background:    | The FAA requires inspections to detect possible cracking in the wing front spar lower caps.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nDavid Villiers  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n29 March 2006","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/CONVAIR/9","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/CONVAIR/9","content":"## AD/CONVAIR/9","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Wing Front Spar Lower Caps","sectionType":"part","heading":"Wing Front Spar Lower Caps","content":"## Wing Front Spar Lower Caps","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 directive applies to Convair Model 340/440 aircraft (including turboprop conversions) and mandates inspections and regulator‑approved repairs. The text shows no alteration of scope from the instrument's stated applicability."},"complexity_factors":["Technical focus on wing front spar lower caps and cracking detection (Requirement)","Two-step access/insp ection process: exterior visual then interior after lower wing skin removal (Requirement)","Conditional timing rules: daily inspections until interior inspection initiated; then 100 hours initial/600‑hour recurring intervals with a 500‑hour lookback (Compliance)","Repairs must follow an FAA or CASA approved scheme — introduces regulator discretion in repair acceptance (Requirement)","Cross-reference to an earlier FAA AD (FAA AD 73-07-01 Amdt 39-1608), requiring operators to reconcile guidance (Requirement/Background)","Applicability includes converted aircraft, widening technical applicability and maintenance variability (Applicability)","Operational burden on operators for access, inspection labor, and repair costs (Requirement; Compliance)"],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of Convair Model 340 and 440 aeroplanes (including those converted to turboprops) to inspect the left and right wing front spar lower caps for cracking, first from the exterior and then from the wing interior after removing the lower wing skin access cover (Applicability; Requirement). Inspections must follow the AD's timetable and any repairs must be approved by the FAA or CASA; operators pay for inspections/repairs and must provide access to the wing structure (Compliance; Requirement)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard Airworthiness Directive with narrow, specific scope targeting a known structural defect in particular aircraft models. It has not expanded beyond its original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical issue (wing spar cracking)","Only 2 inspection requirements with clear timelines","Minimal defined terms (only standard aviation terminology like 'time in service')","No cross-references to other legislation beyond a single FAA AD reference","Straightforward conditional logic (if cracks found → repair before flight)","Short document (approximately 200 words of substantive content)"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires Australian owners/operators of Convair 340/440 (including turboprop conversions) to perform daily external visual checks of the wing front spar lower caps and internal inspections (remove access panel) within 100 flight hours (or sooner if overdue) and every 600 flight hours thereafter. It addresses cracking that could cause catastrophic structural failure; any crack grounds the aircraft until repaired under an FAA- or CASA‑approved repair scheme."},"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"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-convair-9-wing-front-spar-lower-caps","history":"/api/acts/ad-convair-9-wing-front-spar-lower-caps/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-convair-9-wing-front-spar-lower-caps/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-convair-9-wing-front-spar-lower-caps/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-convair-9-wing-front-spar-lower-caps/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-convair-9-wing-front-spar-lower-caps/documents"}}