{"id":"F2006B11239","name":"AD/M20/35 - Autopilot Pitch Servo Actuator Stop Bracket - Installation","slug":"ad-m20-35-autopilot-pitch-servo-actuator-stop-bracket-installation","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":56959,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B11239-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/M20/35 - Autopilot Pitch Servo Actuator Stop Bracket - Installation","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)  Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/M20/35 Autopilot Pitch Servo Actuator Stop Bracket - Installation\n\n\n4/79\n\n \n\nApplicability: All models M20F and M20J fitted with Edo-Aire Mitchell autopilot model AK523 per STC SA3047SW-D.\n\n \n\nDocument: 1. Edo Service Bulletin MB-14; or\n\n \n\n2. FAA AD 79-06-04, Amendment 39-3438.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 May 1979.\n\n \n\nBackground:  The pitch servo actuator of model AK523 Edo-Aire Mitchell Century III autopilot can, under specific conditions, force the servo capstan arm over centre. This condition restricts the limits of travel of the elevator control system. Incorporation of the SB will prevent such a condition.\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":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive addressing a specific mechanical defect in a specific aircraft/autopilot combination. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating a physical modification to prevent autopilot-induced elevator jamming."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 150 words of substantive content)","Only 2 defined/applicable terms (aircraft models M20F/M20J and autopilot model AK523)","Single, unambiguous compliance action (install stop bracket per specified document)","No nested exceptions or conditional logic — straightforward applicability and deadline","Clear cross-reference to external technical documents (Service Bulletin and FAA AD) rather than internal legislative cross-referencing","Simple temporal trigger (100 hours time in service after fixed date)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this is:** This is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) — essentially a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Think of it like a compulsory recall notice for aircraft, but issued by the regulator rather than the manufacturer.\n\n**What it requires:** Owners and operators of specific Mooney M20F and M20J aeroplanes must install a modified \"stop bracket\" on the autopilot system. This bracket prevents a dangerous mechanical failure where the autopilot's pitch control can jam the elevator controls, limiting how much the pilot can move the aircraft's nose up or down.\n\n**Who it affects:** \n- **Aircraft:** All Mooney M20F and M20J models fitted with the Edo-Aire Mitchell AK523 autopilot (installed under a specific regulatory approval called STC SA3047SW-D)\n- **People:** Aircraft owners, maintenance engineers, and operators responsible for keeping these planes airworthy\n\n**Why it matters:** Without this fix, the autopilot could physically jam the elevator controls in flight. This restricts the pilot's ability to control the aircraft's pitch (nose up/down movement), which could lead to loss of control — particularly dangerous during landing or emergency manoeuvres.\n\n**Compliance deadline:** The work had to be done within 100 hours of flying time after 31 May 1979.\n\n**How to comply:** Follow either the manufacturer's Service Bulletin (MB-14) or the equivalent US Federal Aviation Administration directive (FAA AD 79-06-04)."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive’s scope remains narrowly targeted to Mooney M20F and M20J aeroplanes fitted with Edo‑Aire Mitchell autopilot AK523 under STC SA3047SW‑D. The text sets a single technical remedy and a single compliance deadline. There is no indication in the supplied text that the scope was broadened or narrowed from the directive’s stated purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability limited to M20F and M20J aeroplanes with a specific STC (Applicability).","Single, prescriptive technical remedy referenced by two specific documents (Document).","Clear, short compliance window (100 hours TIS after 31 May 1979) rather than ongoing or conditional requirements (Compliance).","Technical nature of the fix (mechanical stop bracket) requires specialist maintenance skills and adherence to service instructions (Document; Background).","No layered exemptions, reporting regimes, or complex certification procedures are included in the text."],"plain_english_summary":"This AD mandates fitting a mechanical stop bracket to the AK523 autopilot pitch‑servo actuator on Mooney M20F/J aircraft installed under STC SA3047SW‑D, per Edo Service Bulletin MB‑14 or FAA AD 79‑06‑04. The mod, required within 100 hours TIS after 31 May 1979, prevents the servo capstan arm moving over‑centre and restricting elevator travel. Owners/operators must arrange and bear the cost and downtime to comply."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-m20-35-autopilot-pitch-servo-actuator-stop-bracket-installation","history":"/api/acts/ad-m20-35-autopilot-pitch-servo-actuator-stop-bracket-installation/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-m20-35-autopilot-pitch-servo-actuator-stop-bracket-installation/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-m20-35-autopilot-pitch-servo-actuator-stop-bracket-installation/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-m20-35-autopilot-pitch-servo-actuator-stop-bracket-installation/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-m20-35-autopilot-pitch-servo-actuator-stop-bracket-installation/documents"}}