{"id":"F2006B05394","name":"AD/PA-18/3 - Fuel Selector Lever - Guard Installation","slug":"ad-pa-18-3-fuel-selector-lever-guard-installation","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":46018,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05394-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-18/3 - Fuel Selector Lever - Guard 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)  Piper PA-18 and 19 (Super Cub) Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/PA-18/3 Fuel Selector Lever - Guard Installation NK\n\nApplicability: All models.\n\n \n\nRequirement: Install a suitable guard to prevent the possibility of inadvertent operation of the fuel selector lever. A wooden block at least 1 inch thick, shaped to clear the arc of the lever, and attach to the existing indicator plate, would be suitable for the purpose.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Forthwith.\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\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive focused solely on preventing inadvertent fuel selector operation in a specific aircraft type. It has not expanded beyond its original narrow safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Single, unambiguous requirement with no conditional logic","No defined terms section","No cross-references to other legislation or regulations","No exceptions or exemptions","Extremely short (under 150 words of substantive content)","Simple descriptive language with one suggested (non-mandatory) implementation method"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this is:** This is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for specific aircraft.\n\n**What it does:** It requires owners and operators of Piper PA-18 and PA-19 \"Super Cub\" aeroplanes to install a physical guard around the fuel selector lever. This prevents pilots or passengers from accidentally bumping or moving the lever, which could cut off fuel to the engine mid-flight.\n\n**Who it affects:** Anyone who owns, operates, or maintains Piper PA-18 or PA-19 series aircraft in Australia.\n\n**What must be done:** Install a guard — CASA suggests a wooden block at least 1 inch thick, shaped to allow the lever to move but block accidental contact, attached to the existing indicator plate. The \"suitable guard\" language allows for equivalent alternatives that achieve the same safety outcome.\n\n**When:** \"Forthwith\" means immediately — no grace period. The aircraft cannot legally fly until this is done.\n\n**Why it matters:** An accidental fuel selector movement in flight can cause engine failure. This simple, cheap fix (a block of wood) prevents a potentially catastrophic accident."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The supplied instrument sets a single, new mandatory requirement (install a guard) applicable to all models and requires immediate compliance. The text contains no indication that it narrows or expands an earlier stated scope; there is no reference in the supplied text to prior scope or to a change from a prior directive. Therefore there is no evidence in the supplied material that the scope has changed from an earlier intent."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mandatory action: install a guard to prevent inadvertent operation of the fuel selector lever (Requirement).","Universal applicability across all models of the listed aeroplanes (Applicability).","Immediate compliance deadline with no phased timeline (Compliance: Forthwith).","Broad, non-prescriptive language — \"suitable guard\" — creates installer/operator discretion about materials and attachment (Requirement).","Provision includes a simple recommended solution (wooden block ≥1 inch) but lacks technical standards or certification criteria (Requirement).","Potential operational risk if installed improperly; directive does not specify inspection or verification procedures (Requirement)."],"plain_english_summary":"This airworthiness directive requires owners/operators of Piper PA‑18 and PA‑19 (Super Cub) aeroplanes to fit a physical guard on the cockpit fuel selector to prevent inadvertent lever movement. Compliance is immediate; the AD suggests a simple wooden block (≥1 inch) attached to the existing indicator plate as an example but allows other suitable guards. Costs and installation responsibility fall to the owners/operators."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-18-3-fuel-selector-lever-guard-installation","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-18-3-fuel-selector-lever-guard-installation/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-18-3-fuel-selector-lever-guard-installation/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-18-3-fuel-selector-lever-guard-installation/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-18-3-fuel-selector-lever-guard-installation/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-18-3-fuel-selector-lever-guard-installation/documents"}}