{"id":"F2006B09628","name":"AD/F100/27 - MLG Torque Link Connections","slug":"ad-f100-27-mlg-torque-link-connections","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":54409,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09628-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/F100/27 - MLG Torque Link Connections","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)  \nFokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/F100/27 MLG Torque Link Connections 4/99\n\nApplicability: F.28 MK.0100 aircraft, all serial numbers, fitted with either Menasco Aerospace, Ltd.\n\nOr Messier-Dowty, Ltd. Main Landing Gear (MLG) Assemblies.\n\nRequirement: Inspect all Menasco Aerospace, Ltd. MLG Assemblies and Messier-Dowty, Ltd.\n\nMLG Assemblies, in accordance with procedures in Fokker Services’ All Operator Message AOF100.013, Reference TS96.68988 dated 19 December 1996.\n\nNote: RLD BLA 1996-147(A) refers.\n\nCompliance: For all Menasco Aerospace MLG assemblies, including assemblies not fitted to aircraft, unless previously carried out, inspect within 1 week or before further flight, whichever occurs last.\n\nFor all Messier-Dowty MLG Assemblies, including assemblies not fitted to an aircraft, unless previously carried out, with 1 month or before further flight, whichever occurs last.\n\nNote: It is expected that spares of the listed parts may be held. As these parts may be affected, it is necessary to inspect these spares prior to fitment.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 22 April 1999.\n\nBackground: An F.28 Mk.0070 was involved in an incident where the take-off was aborted due to vibration suspected to originate from the Main Landing Gear. Subsequent investigation revealed that on the RH MLG Torque Link, the locking bolt and plate of the apex joint had come loose, allowing the apex bolt, which connects the upper and lower torque links, to loosen as well. In addition, the locking wire, intended to secure the locking bolt, was missing. This Airworthiness Directive requires that affected MLG assemblies be checked to ensure that modifications have been made prior to installation.","sortOrder":0}],"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The directive extends the original incident‑response focus to a broader population: it applies to all serial numbers and explicitly requires inspection of assemblies not fitted to aircraft and spares prior to fitment (see Applicability; Compliance; Note). The Background indicates the proximate cause (loosened locking bolt/locking‑wire), while the AD imposes preventive inspections across the fleet and spare inventory rather than limiting checks to installed gear."},"complexity_factors":["Technical inspection required to specific maintenance procedures published by a third party (Fokker Services’ All Operator Message AOF100.013) — reliance on external document for compliance","Two manufacturers covered with different compliance windows (Menasco: 1 week; Messier‑Dowty: 1 month), creating scheduling and prioritisation complexity","Applicability explicitly includes assemblies not fitted to aircraft and spares, increasing supply‑chain traceability and pre‑fitment inspection burden","Mandate applies to all serial numbers — broad scope for fleet and spares holdings","‘Before further flight’ compliance trigger imposes operational constraints and potential grounding or deferral costs","Short effective date (22 April 1999) and tight timeframes increase immediate resource and recordkeeping demand","Investigation and remedial action may require technical judgement and parts handling, increasing maintenance complexity"],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators and owners of Fokker F100 aircraft fitted with Menasco or Messier‑Dowty main landing gear to inspect those MLG assemblies — including spares and assemblies not fitted to aircraft — following Fokker Services’ All Operator Message AOF100.013. Menasco assemblies must be inspected within one week (or before next flight); Messier‑Dowty assemblies within one month (or before next flight).\n\nOperators pay for and carry out the inspections; the Civil Aviation Safety Authority enforces the AD. The checks verify torque‑link locking bolt, plate and locking‑wire security after an incident where these items loosened."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Airworthiness Directive remains tightly focused on its original safety purpose: preventing torque link connection failures on Fokker F100 main landing gear following a specific incident. The scope has not expanded beyond the immediate safety issue identified in the 1996 incident."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical component targeted (torque link connections on main landing gear)","Only two manufacturer variants to distinguish (Menasco vs Messier-Dowty)","Straightforward compliance timeline with binary condition (time OR flight status)","No defined terms section or interpretive provisions","Single cross-reference to Fokker Services technical document and Dutch aviation authority bulletin","No nested exceptions or conditional logic beyond the two manufacturer categories"],"plain_english_summary":"This safety order requires immediate inspections of main landing gear on certain Fokker F100 jets to confirm a critical locking-wire modification has been fitted, preventing torque-link bolts from coming loose. It applies to operators and maintenance organisations using Menasco or Messier-Dowty gear — including spare assemblies — with tight deadlines (about one week for Menasco, one month for Messier-Dowty) before further flights."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-f100-27-mlg-torque-link-connections","history":"/api/acts/ad-f100-27-mlg-torque-link-connections/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-f100-27-mlg-torque-link-connections/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-f100-27-mlg-torque-link-connections/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-f100-27-mlg-torque-link-connections/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-f100-27-mlg-torque-link-connections/documents"}}