{"id":"F2006B09415","name":"AD/ELECT/38 - Bendix Distributor Gear Electrode - Inspection/Replacement","slug":"ad-elect-38-bendix-distributor-gear-electrode-inspection-replacement","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53789,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09415-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/ELECT/38 - Bendix Distributor Gear Electrode - Inspection/Replacement","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nElectrical Equipment\n\nAD/ELECT/38 Bendix Distributor Gear Electrode \\- Inspection/Replacement\n\n  \n8/81\n\nApplicability: All D-3200 Series pressurised (blue) magnetos with S/Nos. 100 thru 1422 installed on Avco Lycoming TIO-540-J2BD used on Piper PA31-350 and LTIO-540-J2BD used on STC SA1151SO and STC SA970SO Colemill conversion of PA31, PA31-325 and PA31-350; STC 980NW Machen Industries conversion of Piper Aerostar 600; STC SA762 NW Machen Industries conversion of Beechcraft Bonanza B35 and A36 series.\n\nDocument: Bendix SB No. 618.\n\nNote: FAA AD 81-12-06.\n\nCompliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 August 1981 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service if gears pass inspection and are not replaced by serviceable gears.\n\nBackground: The distributor gear electrode has come loose in service on a number of D-3200 series magnetos overseas. If this condition exists the distributor gear electrode may contact the distributor block stationary electrodes causing contamination in the distributor.\n\nEngine misfiring could result from the subsequent arcing within the distributor. This in turn could result in rough engine operation, cylinder or engine damage.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted airworthiness directive addressing a specific safety defect in a defined population of aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating inspection/replacement of a faulty distributor gear electrode."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific technical subject matter (one component in one magneto series)","Limited applicability — precisely defined aircraft, engine, and magneto serial number ranges","Clear compliance deadline and recurring interval (100 hours time in service)","No nested exceptions or conditional logic — straightforward 'inspect and replace if necessary' requirement","Short document with minimal cross-referencing (only references one Service Bulletin and one FAA AD)","Technical terminology requires aviation engineering knowledge but is standard for the field"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD mandates inspection—and, if necessary, replacement—of the distributor gear electrode in certain Bendix D‑3200 series magnetos fitted to specific Lycoming‑powered Piper PA‑31‑350 and modified Beech Bonanza (B35/A36) aircraft. \n\nA loose electrode can arc, contaminate the distributor, cause engine misfiring or damage, and so the check must be done within the compliance window and repeated every 100 flight hours unless the gear is replaced."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope aligns with the directive's stated safety concern: it targets the specified D-3200 magnetos and installations listed in the instrument. There is no indication in the text of expansion beyond those serial numbers, engines and STCs; the requirement is limited to inspection and replacement where necessary."},"complexity_factors":["Technical specificity: identifies a single component (distributor gear electrode) on a specific magneto model and serial number range.","Applicability across multiple engines, aircraft types and STC conversions increases who must comply.","Recurring compliance requirement: initial inspection deadline plus mandatory 100‑hour recurring interval.","Operational impact: potential parts replacement and aircraft downtime for inspections/repairs.","Cross-references to external service documents (Bendix SB No. 618) and FAA AD introduce dependency on other texts for implementation details."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the distributor gear electrode on specified Bendix D-3200 series magnetos (S/N 100–1422) installed on the listed Piper and conversion aircraft within 100 hours after 31 August 1981 and every 100 hours thereafter unless replaced. Affects aircraft operators and maintenance organisations for those installations. The stated purpose is to prevent a loose electrode that can cause arcing, engine misfiring and possible engine or cylinder damage; compliance creates inspection, parts and downtime costs for operators."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-elect-38-bendix-distributor-gear-electrode-inspection-replacement","history":"/api/acts/ad-elect-38-bendix-distributor-gear-electrode-inspection-replacement/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-elect-38-bendix-distributor-gear-electrode-inspection-replacement/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-elect-38-bendix-distributor-gear-electrode-inspection-replacement/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-elect-38-bendix-distributor-gear-electrode-inspection-replacement/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-elect-38-bendix-distributor-gear-electrode-inspection-replacement/documents"}}