{"id":"F2009L00186","name":"AD/ML-M5/12 - Elevator Controls","slug":"ad-ml-m5-12-elevator-controls","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":76630,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2009L00186-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Maule M-5 Series Aeroplanes","sectionType":"division","heading":"Maule M-5 Series Aeroplanes","content":"### Maule M-5 Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/ML-M5/12 | Elevator Controls | 2/2009 |\n| ----------- | ----------------- | ------ |\n\n```html\n

Applicability:

This AD applies to the following aeroplane models and serial numbers detailed in Table 1 of this AD.

M-5-180C

All serial numbers

M-5-200

All serial numbers

M-5-210C

All serial numbers

M-5-210TC

All serial numbers

M-5-220C

All serial numbers

M-5-235C

All serial numbers

Requirement:

1. Using yellow enamel paint, colour code the following:

a) the top of the rear elevator control horn,

b) the elevator control cable end attached to the top of the rear control horn,

c) the bottom of the forward elevator control horn, and

d) the elevator control cable end attached to the bottom of the forward control horn.

Follow Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 30 dated 4 March 2008.

2. Insert the following text into the rigging procedure section of the FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g. maintenance manual):

“CAUTION – BEFORE FLIGHT WHENEVER ELEVATOR CABLES ARE RECONNECTED OR NEW CABLES INSTALLED: Always check operation of elevators after a cable reconnect by pulling back on the control and ascertain that the elevators are in the UP position.”

\n```\n\n| | Follow Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 30. This may be achieved by inserting a copy of this AD or inserting the text located on the bottom of page 3 of Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 30 into the FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g. maintenance manual).Note 1: CASA reminds operators that Civil Aviation Regulation (1988) 42G requires additional requirements to be complied with if any part of the flight control system of an Australian aircraft is assembled, adjusted, repaired, modified or replaced in the course of carrying out maintenance on the aircraft.Note 2: FAA AD 2008-24-02 Amdt 39-15742 dated 10 November 2008 refers. |\n| ----------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Compliance: | Before the next time the elevator control cable is disconnected for any reason or within the next 12 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first. |\n| | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 12 February 2009. |\n| Background: | This AD results from two reports of accidents where reversed elevator control rigging was a factor. The issuing of this AD is intended to reduce the likelihood of a mechanic rigging the elevator controls backwards, which could result in elevator movement in the opposite direction from control input. This failure could lead to loss of control. |\n\n![](image.001.png) \nJames Coyne \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n22 December 2008","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/ML-M5/12","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/ML-M5/12","content":"## AD/ML-M5/12","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Elevator Controls","sectionType":"part","heading":"Elevator Controls","content":"## Elevator Controls","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"2/2009","sectionType":"part","heading":"2/2009","content":"## 2/2009","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD's scope aligns with its stated purpose in the Background: it applies to the listed M‑5 models (Applicability / Table 1) and mandates two narrow measures — colour‑coding specified elevator control parts (Requirement 1) and inserting a caution into the rigging procedure (Requirement 2). Compliance timing is defined (Compliance). There is no expansion beyond preventing reversed elevator rigging; CASA's Note referencing Civil Aviation Regulation (1988) 42G (Notes) simply reminds operators of additional obligations when flight‑control work is performed."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow, model‑specific applicability — the AD applies only to the listed M‑5 models and serial numbers (Applicability / Table 1).","Simple, prescriptive physical work — paint four named control points yellow (Requirement 1), low technical complexity but requires access to those components.","Mandatory amendment to maintenance paperwork — insert a cautionary rigging check into the FAA‑approved maintenance program (Requirement 2), triggering administrative work by operators/maintenance organisations.","Cross‑reference to manufacturer's Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 30 — operators must follow that document for the detailed procedure (Requirement 1 text).","Clear compliance timing — before the next elevator control cable disconnect or within 12 calendar months (Compliance), creating a firm deadline.","Regulatory interaction — CASA reminder that Civil Aviation Regulation (1988) 42G may impose additional requirements if flight controls are worked on (Note 1), adding potential extra compliance steps.","Safety‑critical context — background cites accidents where reversed rigging was a factor, so human error and maintenance culture are core risks (Background).","Minor potential for interpretation disputes — precise identification of the parts to be painted and whether previous markings satisfy the requirement could require judgement by maintenance personnel or regulators."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires owners/operators of the listed Maule M‑5 series aeroplanes to colour‑code four specific elevator control connection points with yellow enamel (per Maule Service Bulletin No. 30) and to insert a specified cautionary check into the FAA‑approved rigging procedure. Applies to the models/serials listed and must be done before the next elevator‑cable disconnection or within 12 months. The stated aim is to reduce reversed elevator rigging that could invert control inputs and risk loss of control."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD remains tightly focused on its original safety purpose: preventing reversed elevator rigging on Maule M-5 aircraft through visual identification and procedural warnings. There is no evidence of scope creep or expansion beyond the specific mechanical issue identified in the two reported accidents."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 400 words of substantive content)","Only 2 operative requirements (colour-coding and manual insertion)","No defined terms section — all language is plain technical English","Single cross-reference to FAA AD 2008-24-02 and Maule Service Bulletin No. 30","Simple conditional compliance deadline (next disconnect OR 12 months)","Clear applicability table with 6 aircraft models — no nested exceptions or carve-outs"],"plain_english_summary":"CASA's AD requires painting parts of the Maule M-5 elevator control system yellow and adding a maintenance-manual warning so mechanics can clearly identify and test elevator cable connections. It affects all M-5 series owners, operators and maintenance engineers; prompted by two accidents from reversed cables, the measures prevent inverted pitch control and must be done before the next cable disconnect or within 12 months of Feb 2009."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ml-m5-12-elevator-controls","history":"/api/acts/ad-ml-m5-12-elevator-controls/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ml-m5-12-elevator-controls/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ml-m5-12-elevator-controls/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ml-m5-12-elevator-controls/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ml-m5-12-elevator-controls/documents"}}