{"id":"F2006B11283","name":"AD/ML-M4/14 Amdt 1 - Rudder Bar - Inspection and Modification","slug":"ad-ml-m4-14-amdt-1-rudder-bar-inspection-and-modification","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":57095,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B11283-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/ML-M4/14 Amdt 1 - Rudder Bar - 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)  Maule M-4 Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/ML-M4/14\n\nAmdt 1\n\n\nRudder Bar - Inspection and Modification 10/82\n\n \n\nApplicability: All models with rudder bars which have not been modified in accordance with Maule Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin No. 2.\n\n \n\nRequirement: Inspect and modify the rudder bar in accordance with Maule Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin No. 2.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Within the next 100 hours time in service after 31 October, 1982.\n\n \n\nBackground: Reinforcement of the rudder bar in accordance with SB No. 2 reduces the possibility of fatigue cracking and will obviate the necessity for the repetitive special inspections previously required.\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":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This amendment replaces previously required repetitive special inspections with a requirement to inspect and modify the rudder bar in accordance with Maule Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin No. 2. The applicability remains limited to aircraft not already modified per that Service Bulletin. (Applicability; Requirement; Background)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow technical scope: applies only to Maule M‑4 series aeroplanes with rudder bars not modified per Service Bulletin No. 2 (Applicability).","Single, short compliance window: one mandatory action within a fixed 100 hours time‑in‑service after a specified date (Compliance).","Action defined by reference: the directive mandates following a manufacturer Service Bulletin rather than setting out detailed technical steps (Requirement).","Clear exemption: aircraft already modified under the referenced Service Bulletin are excluded, reducing administrative complexity (Applicability).","Limited regulatory discretion: the AD prescribes mandatory compliance rather than open regulatory judgments, simplifying enforcement (Requirement)."],"plain_english_summary":"Owners/operators of Maule M‑4 series aeroplanes that retain the original rudder bar must have it inspected and modified in accordance with Maule Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin No. 2 within 100 hours TIS after 31 October 1982; aircraft already modified per that SB are exempt. \n\nCASA enforces the directive and owners bear inspection/modification costs. The change is intended to reduce fatigue‑cracking risk and remove the need for ongoing repetitive special inspections."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard, narrow airworthiness directive focused on a specific mechanical defect in a specific aircraft series. It has not expanded beyond its original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Extremely short document (under 200 words)","Only 4 operative provisions: applicability, requirement, compliance deadline, and background","No defined terms section","No cross-references to other legislation beyond the enabling Civil Aviation Regulations 1998","Single, unambiguous compliance action with clear deadline","No conditional logic, exceptions, or nested provisions"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive** — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for aircraft.\n\n**What it does:**\nOrders owners and operators of **Maule M-4 series aeroplanes** to inspect and modify the rudder bar (the foot-operated control that steers the aircraft on the ground) following a specific manufacturer's service bulletin.\n\n**Who it affects:**\nAnyone who owns or operates a Maule M-4 aircraft that hasn't already had this modification done.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThe original rudder bar design can develop **fatigue cracks** (tiny fractures caused by repeated stress that can grow and cause failure). The modification strengthens the rudder bar and eliminates the need for repeated special inspections that were previously required.\n\n**What must be done:**\n- **Inspect and modify** the rudder bar per Maule Service Bulletin No. 2\n- **When:** Within the next 100 hours of flight time after 31 October 1982\n\n**The bottom line:** This is a one-time fix to prevent a safety-critical control from breaking. Once done, you don't need to keep checking it repeatedly."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ml-m4-14-amdt-1-rudder-bar-inspection-and-modification","history":"/api/acts/ad-ml-m4-14-amdt-1-rudder-bar-inspection-and-modification/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ml-m4-14-amdt-1-rudder-bar-inspection-and-modification/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ml-m4-14-amdt-1-rudder-bar-inspection-and-modification/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ml-m4-14-amdt-1-rudder-bar-inspection-and-modification/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ml-m4-14-amdt-1-rudder-bar-inspection-and-modification/documents"}}