{"id":"F2006B09199","name":"AD/DHC-8/43 - NLG Drag Strut Pivot Tube","slug":"ad-dhc-8-43-nlg-drag-strut-pivot-tube","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53016,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09199-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/DHC-8/43 - NLG Drag Strut Pivot Tube","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nBombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/DHC-8/43 NLG Drag Strut Pivot Tube 12/95\n\nApplicability: DHC-8 aircraft, all models, with serial numbers 003 through 403, and any DHC-8 aircraft with drag strut serial number DEC 001/83 through DCL 432/94 installed.\n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of Transport Canada AD CF- 95-15.\n\nNote: De Havilland Service Bulletin 8-32-131 refers.\n\nCompliance: As specified in the Requirement Document.\n\nNote: Incorporation of de Havilland Modification 8/2266 provides terminating action for the inspection requirements of this Directive.\n\nBackground: The pivot tube in the nose landing gear drag strut has cracked or completely failed on several aircraft. In one case the nose gear did not extend, causing damage to the aircraft during the subsequent landing. As a result of these failures, the safe life of the pivot tube has been re-evaluated.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive addressing a specific mechanical failure mode in a specific aircraft component. The scope remains precisely limited to the nose landing gear drag strut pivot tube issue as originally identified."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 150 words)","Only 2 defined applicability criteria (aircraft serial numbers and drag strut serial numbers)","Single cross-reference to external Canadian aviation authority document (Transport Canada AD CF-95-15)","No nested conditions or exceptions","Straightforward compliance structure: follow the external document, with one terminating action specified","No interpretation section or defined terms"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — essentially a mandatory safety order for aircraft owners and operators.\n\n**What it does:**\nOrders inspections and repairs for a specific mechanical part on certain Bombardier DHC-8 aircraft (also known as Dash 8s). The part in question is the **\"pivot tube\"** in the nose landing gear drag strut — a component that helps the front wheel assembly fold up and down.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThe pivot tube has been cracking and failing on multiple aircraft. In one incident, the nose gear wouldn't extend, causing damage during an emergency landing. This directive prevents similar accidents by requiring owners to follow Canadian safety instructions (Transport Canada AD CF-95-15) to check and fix the problem.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of DHC-8 aircraft with serial numbers 003 through 403\n- Any DHC-8 with specific drag strut serial numbers (DEC 001/83 through DCL 432/94)\n\n**Key details:**\n- **Compliance:** Must follow the timeline in the Canadian requirement document\n- **Permanent fix:** Installing \"Modification 8/2266\" ends the need for repeated inspections\n- **Reference:** De Havilland Service Bulletin 8-32-131 provides technical guidance"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive's scope is limited to the aircraft and drag-strut serial numbers specified (Applicability) and requires compliance with the technical steps in Transport Canada AD CF-95-15 (Requirement). The instrument does not expand or narrow that scope within its text; it also notes a terminating action (Modification 8/2266) that affects only compliance obligations rather than the population covered. There is no indication in the source text that the operative scope has been changed from its stated intent."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-reference to an external technical document (Transport Canada AD CF-95-15) rather than containing technical steps increases dependency on another source.","Applicability defined by specific aircraft serial numbers and drag-strut serial-number ranges requires parts/airframe matching and record checks.","Availability of a terminating modification (De Havilland Modification 8/2266) creates a binary compliance pathway (repeat inspections vs one-off modification).","Reference to a manufacturer service bulletin (8-32-131) adds an additional non-regulatory document operators must consult.","Safety-critical nature of the affected component (nose-gear pivot tube) increases operational consequences of compliance or non-compliance but does not add technical complexity to the AD text itself."],"plain_english_summary":"This directive requires operators of specified Bombardier/De Havilland DHC‑8 aeroplanes (certain airframe and nose‑gear drag‑strut serial numbers) to carry out the inspections, repairs or replacements set out in Transport Canada AD CF‑95‑15, or install De Havilland Modification 8/2266 (which terminates the inspections). It responds to pivot‑tube cracking that has led to nose‑gear failures; CASA enforces the AD and affected operators bear the compliance costs and downtime."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-43-nlg-drag-strut-pivot-tube","history":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-43-nlg-drag-strut-pivot-tube/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-43-nlg-drag-strut-pivot-tube/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-43-nlg-drag-strut-pivot-tube/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-43-nlg-drag-strut-pivot-tube/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-43-nlg-drag-strut-pivot-tube/documents"}}