{"id":"F2008L04555","name":"AD/DHC-3/30 Amdt 1 - Elevator Connecting Rod","slug":"ad-dhc-3-30-amdt-1-elevator-connecting-rod","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":120849,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2008L04555-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"DHC-3 (Otter) Series Aeroplanes","sectionType":"division","heading":"DHC-3 (Otter) Series Aeroplanes","content":"### DHC-3 (Otter) Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/DHC-3/30 Amdt 1 | Elevator Connecting Rod | 1/2009 |\n| ------------------ | ----------------------- | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | All Model DHC-3 aircraft. |\n| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |\n| Requirement: | 1. Visually inspect the elevator pushrod (part number C3-CF-167 or replacement pushrod part number C3-CF-633-1); and the elevator pushrod to rear quadrant attachment bolt (part number AN174-16 or replacement bolt part number NAS1954-24D) and associated hardware.The inspection should concentrate on the detection of bowing of the pushrod, cracking of the pushrod threaded ends or bending of the attachment bolt. If evidence of component damage is found, before further flight, replace the damaged parts in accordance with de Havilland Service Bulletin (SB) No.3/35 Revision A and SB No.3/43 original issue, or later Transport Canada approved revisions; except that attachment bolt part number AN174-16 may be used in lieu of bolt part number NAS1954-24D until Requirement 2 of this Directive comes into effect. If bolt part number AN174-16 is replaced with bolt part number NAS1954-24D, the rudder pushrod to rear quadrant attachment bolt and associated hardware are also required to be replaced at the same time with hardware as specified in SB No.3/43 original issue, or later Transport Canada approved revision.2. Replace the elevator pushrod to rear quadrant attachment bolt and associated hardware in accordance with SB No.3/43 original issue, or later Transport Canada approved revision. Simultaneously, unless already accomplished, replace the rudder pushrod to rear quadrant attachment bolt in accordance with SB No.3/43 original issue, or later Transport Canada approved revision.3. Whenever a parked aircraft has been exposed to jet, propeller, or helicopter blast or winds with an estimated mean velocity of 55 km/h with gusting up to 100 km/h, compliance with Requirement 1 must be accomplished before further flight regardless of whether the new components of Requirement 2 have been installed or not. After exposure to these wind velocities visually inspect the remainder of the elevator control circuit for damage in accordance with de Havilland SB No.3/35 Revision A, or later Transport Canada approved revision.Note: Transport Canada AD CF-85-04 refers. |\n\n| Compliance: | 1. Unless already accomplished, within 50 flight hours after 15 January 2009.2. Unless already accomplished, within 100 flight hours after 15 January 2009.3. As specified in Requirement 3. |\n| ----------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| | This Amendment becomes effective on 15 January 2009. |\n| Background: | In-service damage has occurred to the elevator pushrod and attachment bolt to the elevator quadrant in the stub fin. The damage usually takes the form of bowing of the pushrod and bending of the attachment bolt, caused by high external loads applied to the elevator due to strong gust loading while the aircraft is parked. Similar problems could develop with the rudder pushrod to rear quadrant attachment bolt.Amendment 1 is issued to introduce the requirements of Transport Canada ADCF-85-04, which supersedes the original requirements of this Directive. |\n\n![](image.001.png) \nDavid Villiers \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n27 November 2008","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/DHC-3/30 Amdt 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/DHC-3/30 Amdt 1","content":"## AD/DHC-3/30 Amdt 1","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Elevator Connecting Rod","sectionType":"part","heading":"Elevator Connecting Rod","content":"## Elevator Connecting Rod","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"1/2009","sectionType":"part","heading":"1/2009","content":"## 1/2009","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is an amendment to an existing Airworthiness Directive (AD/DHC-3/30). The background explicitly states that Amendment 1 is issued to introduce requirements from Transport Canada AD CF-85-04, which supersedes the original requirements. While this updates the technical requirements, it does not represent scope creep beyond the original safety purpose of addressing elevator control system failures. The scope remains tightly focused on the specific mechanical defect in the DHC-3 Otter elevator/rudder control system."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple specific part numbers referenced (C3-CF-167, C3-CF-633-1, AN174-16, NAS1954-24D) with substitution rules","Cross-references to external documents: de Havilland Service Bulletin No.3/35 Revision A and SB No.3/43","Conditional logic: Requirement 1 allows temporary use of old bolt part until Requirement 2 takes effect","Linked replacement requirement: replacing one bolt triggers mandatory replacement of rudder pushrod bolt","Trigger-based compliance: Requirement 3 creates an event-driven inspection obligation independent of flight hours","Nested exceptions: 'unless already accomplished' clauses appear twice in compliance section"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires owners/operators of de Havilland DHC‑3 Otter aircraft to inspect and replace specific elevator control parts (pushrod and attachment bolt) that have been damaged by high winds or jet blast. Within 50 flight hours inspect for bending or cracking; within 100 hours install improved bolts and hardware; and inspect before flight after exposure to strong gusts or jet blast. The aims are to prevent elevator failure and potential loss of control."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Amendment 1 adopts the requirements of Transport Canada AD CF-85-04 and supersedes the original directive. It clarifies and mandates replacement of the elevator pushrod rear‑quadrant attachment bolt and associated hardware, ties rudder‑pushrod hardware replacement to that action, sets explicit compliance timeframes (50 and 100 flight hours), and adds an immediate inspection requirement after specified wind or blast exposure. It also permits temporary use of an older bolt part until Requirement 2 comes into effect, creating a phased compliance regime."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple specific part numbers and an interim permitted substitution (AN174-16 may be used in lieu of NAS1954-24D until Requirement 2 is effective) which creates a transitional compliance decision.","Staggered compliance timings: Requirement 1 within 50 flight hours and Requirement 2 within 100 flight hours after the effective date, plus immediate inspection after defined wind/blast exposure.","Dependence on external technical documents: implementation requires following de Havilland Service Bulletins (SB No.3/35 Rev A and SB No.3/43) or later Transport Canada‑approved revisions.","Linked hardware replacements: replacing the elevator attachment bolt may obligate simultaneous replacement of rudder pushrod attachment hardware, increasing parts and labour scope.","Operational trigger tied to environmental exposure (winds mean 55 km/h with gusts to 100 km/h or blast), which imposes an inspection obligation outside routine maintenance schedules.","Potential for interpretive uncertainty about when the interim bolt allowance ceases and exact SB revision applicability, creating compliance‑risk for operators and maintainers."],"plain_english_summary":"Mechanically, this directive requires visual inspections of the elevator pushrod and its rear-quadrant attachment bolt on all DHC‑3 (Otter) aircraft, and mandates replacement of that attachment bolt and associated hardware within set flight‑hour limits. It also requires immediate inspection after specified high‑wind or jet/prop/helicopter blast exposure. It affects every DHC‑3 owner/operator by creating inspection triggers, staged replacement deadlines, and a short-term allowance for an older bolt part until the mandated replacement is fitted."},"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-dhc-3-30-amdt-1-elevator-connecting-rod","history":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-3-30-amdt-1-elevator-connecting-rod/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-3-30-amdt-1-elevator-connecting-rod/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-3-30-amdt-1-elevator-connecting-rod/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-3-30-amdt-1-elevator-connecting-rod/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-3-30-amdt-1-elevator-connecting-rod/documents"}}