{"id":"F2006L01060","name":"AD/EMB-120/44 - Cargo Configuration","slug":"ad-emb-120-44-cargo-configuration","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":58364,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006L01060-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeropl","sectionType":"division","heading":"Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes","content":"### Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/EMB-120/44 | Cargo Configuration | 5/2006 |\n| ------------- | ------------------- | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | Model EMB-120 aircraft, serial numbers 120003 through 120358; operating in cargo configuration, including “full cargo” and “quick change” versions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |\n| -------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | 1. Install a placard limiting the load distribution in a minimum and maximum height of loading and incorporate Revision 65 in the Brazilian Aircraft Flight Manual No. AFM-120/813.2. For operation in cargo configuration without the limitations imposed by Requirement 1:Install three additional vertical cargo nets part number 120-64027-001, and replace the loading limitation placards, in accordance with Embraer Service Bulletins No. 120-25-0255 or 120-25-0257, original issues, or later CTA approved revisions.Note 1: Embraer Service Bulletin 120-25-0254 original issue, or later CTA approved revision, refers.Note 2: CTA AD 2001-02-02R2 refers. |\n| Compliance:    | 1. Before 31 May 2006, unless already accomplished.2. As required by the operator.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |\n|                | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 11 May 2006.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |\n| Background:    | The manufacturer has determined that in certain flight conditions a load displacement could occur in aircraft operating in cargo configuration “quick change” or “full cargo”, if the load is not properly distributed and retained along the compartment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nDavid Villiers  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n29 March 2006","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/EMB-120/44","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/EMB-120/44","content":"## AD/EMB-120/44","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Cargo Configuration","sectionType":"part","heading":"Cargo Configuration","content":"## Cargo Configuration","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"5/2006","sectionType":"part","heading":"5/2006","content":"## 5/2006","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard, narrow airworthiness directive addressing a specific safety issue with cargo loading in a particular aircraft type. The scope remains tightly focused on the original safety concern without expansion into broader operational areas."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose directive with clear applicability criteria","Only 2 main requirements with a straightforward alternative compliance path","Minimal defined terms (relies on external references to manufacturer part numbers and service bulletins)","Simple conditional structure (Requirement 1 vs Requirement 2)","Single compliance date with standard exception clause","No nested exceptions or complex cross-referencing within the instrument itself (though it references external technical documents)"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires Embraer EMB-120 aircraft (S/N 120003–120358) used in cargo or quick-change roles to be modified to prevent in-flight cargo shift. Operators must either fit loading-height placards and update the flight manual or install three additional vertical cargo nets and replace placards per the manufacturer. It applies to all operators of these aircraft and must be done before 31 May 2006 to preserve stability and prevent loss of control."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD stays within the original safety-focused purpose: preventing cargo load shift in EMB-120 aircraft operated as freighters or in quick‑change cargo configuration (Background; Requirement). It does not broaden the regulatory scope beyond that technical objective. The inclusion of a hardware option (installing cargo nets to remove loading-height limits) expands available compliance methods but does not change the overall risk-mitigation goal or the set of affected aircraft (Applicability; Requirement)."},"complexity_factors":["Single-model, limited serial-number applicability (120003–120358)","Two alternative compliance pathways (placard+AFM revision OR install three vertical cargo nets and replace placards)","Cross-references to multiple Embraer Service Bulletins (120-25-0255, 120-25-0257, and reference to 120-25-0254)","Reference to prior CTA airworthiness directive (CTA AD 2001-02-02R2) requiring checking of earlier regulatory action","Short and specific compliance timeline (effective 11 May 2006; compliance by 31 May 2006)","Technical dependency on specific part number (cargo nets part number 120-64027-001)","Notes permitting later CTA-approved revisions introduces conditionality (must use original SBs or later CTA-approved versions)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)**\n\n- Applies to Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) aeroplanes, serial numbers 120003–120358, when they are operated in a cargo configuration (both “full cargo” and “quick change”) (Applicability).\n- Requires one of two compliance options (Requirement):\n  - Option A (the default): install a placard that limits how cargo may be stacked (specifies a minimum and maximum height of loading) and update the Aircraft Flight Manual by incorporating Revision 65 of AFM-120/813.2; or\n  - Option B (to avoid the load-height limitations in Option A): install three additional vertical cargo nets (part number 120-64027-001) and replace the loading limitation placards, following Embraer Service Bulletin (SB) No. 120-25-0255 or 120-25-0257 (original issues or later approvals by the CTA — the Brazilian aviation authority).\n- Gives a compliance deadline: complete the required action before 31 May 2006 unless already done; some follow-on actions are “as required by the operator” (Compliance). The AD became effective 11 May 2006.\n- Cross-references other manufacturer service documents and a prior CTA airworthiness directive (Notes reference SB 120-25-0254 and CTA AD 2001-02-02R2).\n\n**Who this affects**\n\n- Aircraft owners and operators of EMB-120 serials 120003–120358 when those aircraft are used in cargo roles (including passenger-to-freighter quick-change configurations).\n- Maintenance organisations or approved repair stations that perform the placarding, AFM update, or SB-mandated net installations.\n\n**Why it matters (official rationale and practical effect)**\n\n- Official reason: the manufacturer found that under some flight conditions a cargo load can shift (load displacement) in the cargo compartment unless cargo is properly distributed and retained (Background). The rule therefore imposes physical/administrative controls to reduce the risk of load shift.\n\n**Practical implications, costs and incentives**\n\n- Direct costs: operators must pay for placards and AFM documentation changes, or for three vertical cargo nets plus parts and installation labour if they choose Option B (Requirement). Installation can be done by independent MROs or approved maintenance organisations.\n- Operational effect: Option A imposes a loading-height limit that can reduce usable cargo volume or require different stowage practices (affects payload planning and throughput). Option B restores the ability to load without those height limits but requires capital expenditure and installation time (trade-off between lower operating flexibility under Option A versus upfront cost and downtime under Option B).\n- Compliance burden and timing: operators had a short mandated window (effective 11 May 2006; compliance by 31 May 2006), creating scheduling and possible downtime pressures for fleets that needed the hardware fitted.\n- Who decides and who pays: operators decide which compliance path to follow and bear the cost; maintenance organisations perform the work under the operator’s direction.\n- Effects on competition and private choice: the AD sets a uniform safety requirement for the affected fleet. Smaller operators with fewer resources face the same technical requirements as larger operators; the net-install option may be more attractive to operators that need full cargo capacity, while placarding may be cheaper for occasional cargo use.\n\n**Implementation risks and cross‑references**\n\n- The AD requires adherence to specific Embraer service bulletins (SB 120-25-0255 or 120-25-0257) and references other SBs and a prior CTA AD; operators must ensure they use the correct SB revision or a CTA-approved revision to be compliant (Requirement; Notes).\n- Failure to follow the exact SB or to obtain CTA-approved revisions could produce non-compliance with the AD despite having fitted hardware.\n\n**Summary statement**\n\nThis airworthiness directive mandates either operational limits (placards and AFM revision) or hardware modification (three vertical cargo nets and related placard changes per Embraer SBs) for EMB-120 aircraft in cargo configurations to mitigate the risk of cargo load shift. Operators choose which path; they pay for the work; and the choice trades off immediate cost and downtime against ongoing operational flexibility (Requirement; Compliance; Background)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-44-cargo-configuration","history":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-44-cargo-configuration/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-44-cargo-configuration/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-44-cargo-configuration/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-44-cargo-configuration/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-44-cargo-configuration/documents"}}