{"id":"F2006B10150","name":"AD/GA-7/6 - Rudder Bellcrank Torque Tube - Inspection and Modification","slug":"ad-ga-7-6-rudder-bellcrank-torque-tube-inspection-and-modification","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":55727,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B10150-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/GA-7/6 - Rudder Bellcrank Torque Tube - Inspection and Modification","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\nmeta-generator: Aspose.Words for .NET 22.10.0\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n \n\n![](image.001.png)  Gulfstream (Grumman American) GA-7 Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/GA-7/6 Rudder Bellcrank Torque Tube - Inspection NK\n\nand Modification\n\n \n\nApplicability: All model GA-7 with S/Nos. GA7-0002 to GA-70038, GA7- 0040, GA7-0042 to GA7-0087.\n\n \n\nDocument: Gulfstream American SB No. ME-16.\n\n \n\nCompliance: 1. Inspect within 10 hours time in service after 28 February 1979.\n\n \n\n2. Modify as per requirement document.\n\n \n\nBackground:  Partial loss of rudder control may occur if free play in the rudder circuit exceeds 1 degree.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The supplied text specifies the AD’s applicability, inspection timing and modification requirement. There is no indication in the supplied material that the AD’s scope has been altered from an earlier or original version; the directive is self-contained in identifying affected serial numbers and directing compliance via the named service bulletin (Applicability; Compliance; Document)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability defined by specific serial numbers (Applicability) reduces scope but requires accurate fleet identification.","Very short compliance window for inspection (within 10 hours TIS after 28 February 1979) increases operational disruption and urgency (Compliance: 1).","Modification requirement points to an external technical document (Gulfstream American SB No. ME-16) rather than prescribing steps in the AD, creating dependency on that bulletin for compliance detail (Document; Compliance: 2).","Clear, single safety parameter (rudder free play > 1 degree) but the AD does not include the measurement procedure, creating potential for differing interpretations during inspection (Background).","Regulatory basis under Part 39 Schedule of Airworthiness Directives imposes binding obligations but gives the AD limited procedural content, concentrating technical discretion in the service bulletin (header; Document)."],"plain_english_summary":"Owners/operators of the listed Gulfstream (Grumman American) GA‑7 serial numbers must inspect the rudder bellcrank/torque tube within 10 hours TIS after 28 Feb 1979 and install the modification required by Gulfstream American Service Bulletin No. ME‑16. The AD (issued under CASA Part 39) addresses risk of partial rudder control loss if rudder free play exceeds 1°; operators bear the inspection/modification cost, downtime, and must follow the external service bulletin’s procedures to comply."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted airworthiness directive addressing a specific mechanical defect in a specific aircraft model. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating inspection and modification of the rudder bellcrank torque tube."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 250 words)","Only 4 defined elements: applicability (serial number range), reference document (SB ME-16), compliance deadline, and background","No cross-references to other legislation or regulations beyond the parent Civil Aviation Regulations 1998","Simple conditional logic: if you own this aircraft, you must do these two things","No nested exceptions or complicated procedural requirements","Single technical reference to an external service bulletin rather than detailed embedded instructions"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive** (AD) — essentially a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for specific aircraft.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Requires owners and operators of certain **Gulfstream GA-7 series aeroplanes** to inspect and modify a specific part called the **\"rudder bellcrank torque tube\"** — a component in the aircraft's steering system.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of GA-7 aircraft with **serial numbers GA7-0002 through GA7-0038, GA7-0040, and GA7-0042 through GA7-0087**.\n\n**What must be done:**\n1. **Inspect** the rudder bellcrank torque tube within **10 hours of flying time** after 28 February 1979\n2. **Modify** the part according to Gulfstream American Service Bulletin No. ME-16 (the technical instruction manual for this fix)\n\n**Why it matters:**\n- **Safety risk:** If there's too much \"free play\" (looseness or wiggle room) in the rudder system — specifically more than 1 degree — pilots could experience **partial loss of rudder control**. The rudder is what steers the aircraft left and right, so losing control of it is obviously dangerous.\n- This AD prevents potential accidents by catching and fixing this mechanical defect before it causes problems in flight.\n\n**In short:** If you own one of these specific Gulfstream planes, you must check and fix this steering component by a deadline, or the aircraft isn't legally airworthy."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ga-7-6-rudder-bellcrank-torque-tube-inspection-and-modification","history":"/api/acts/ad-ga-7-6-rudder-bellcrank-torque-tube-inspection-and-modification/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ga-7-6-rudder-bellcrank-torque-tube-inspection-and-modification/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ga-7-6-rudder-bellcrank-torque-tube-inspection-and-modification/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ga-7-6-rudder-bellcrank-torque-tube-inspection-and-modification/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ga-7-6-rudder-bellcrank-torque-tube-inspection-and-modification/documents"}}