{"id":"F2006B05451","name":"AD/PA-23/18 - Aileron Balance Weight Brackets - Reinforcement","slug":"ad-pa-23-18-aileron-balance-weight-brackets-reinforcement","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":46196,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05451-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-23/18 - Aileron Balance Weight Brackets - Reinforcement","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-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/PA-23/18 Aileron Balance Weight Brackets - Reinforcement NK\n\nApplicability: Model PA-23 with S/Nos. 23-1 to -731, -733, -734, -735, -737, -738, -742 to -768,\n\n-770 to -776, 0778 to 0783, -785, -786, -788 to -793, -795, -796, -798 to -800.\n\n \n\nDocument: 1. Piper SB No. 149; or 2. FAA AD 56-27-3.\n\nCompliance: Before issue of a Certificate of Airworthiness.\n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, single-issue airworthiness directive focused on a specific mechanical defect in specific aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating reinforcement of aileron balance weight brackets on early Piper PA-23 models."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 150 words)","Only 3 defined elements: applicability (serial numbers), document references, and compliance deadline","No cross-references to other legislation or regulations beyond the parent Civil Aviation Regulations 1998","No conditional logic or nested exceptions — compliance is absolute and binary (must be done before certification)","Simple structure: applicability → document reference → compliance requirement","Serial number list is explicit but lengthy, creating minor parsing complexity without legal complexity"],"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). Think of it as a \"recall notice\" for aircraft, but legally binding.\n\n**What it requires:** Owners and operators of specific **Piper PA-23 Apache and Aztec aeroplanes** must reinforce the **aileron balance weight brackets** — metal parts that help keep the aircraft's control surfaces stable during flight. Without this fix, these brackets could fail, potentially causing loss of control.\n\n**Who must comply:** Anyone who owns or operates a Piper PA-23 with specific serial numbers listed (roughly early production models from serial 23-1 through 23-800, with some gaps). The serial numbers are listed individually rather than as a continuous range.\n\n**When to do it:** Before the aircraft can be issued a **Certificate of Airworthiness** — meaning this must be completed before the plane is legally allowed to fly (or to continue flying if the certificate is being renewed).\n\n**How to comply:** Follow either:\n- **Piper Service Bulletin No. 149** (the manufacturer's official repair instructions), OR\n- **FAA AD 56-27-3** (the equivalent American safety order)\n\n**Why it matters:** This prevents structural failure in a critical flight control component. Non-compliance means the aircraft cannot be legally certified as airworthy."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD as presented defines its scope by a specific list of serial numbers, cites two external documents for the technical work, and sets a single compliance condition (before COA issue). The source gives no indication that this AD alters or changes scope from a prior instrument."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability limited to a specific aircraft model and enumerated serial numbers (Applicability)","Reliance on external technical documents (Piper SB No. 149 or FAA AD 56-27-3) for the required work (Document)","A single clear compliance trigger: completion before Certificate of Airworthiness issuance (Compliance)","No procedural detail in the AD itself — implementers must consult the referenced documents","Enforcement tied to administrative COA process rather than a complex schedule or multiple compliance options"],"plain_english_summary":"# What this directive does\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive (AD) requires reinforcement of the aileron balance weight brackets on specific Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) aeroplanes. The reinforcement must be carried out by following one of two referenced technical documents: Piper Service Bulletin No. 149 or FAA AD 56-27-3. (Applicability; Document)\n\n# Compliance Requirements and Scope\n\n- Applicability: The AD applies only to Model PA-23 aircraft with the listed serial numbers. (Applicability)\n- Required action: Reinforce the aileron balance weight brackets in accordance with either Piper SB No. 149 or FAA AD 56-27-3. (Document)\n- Timing: Compliance must be completed before a Certificate of Airworthiness (COA) is issued for an affected aircraft. Compliance is a precondition for COA issuance. (Compliance)\n\n# Who decides and who pays\n\n- Decision/enforcement: The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (through the COA process) is the practical gatekeeper because the AD makes compliance a precondition for issuing a COA. (Compliance)\n- Costs and work: The aircraft owner/operator incurs costs for parts and labour to comply with the referenced documents. (Document)\n\n# What the source states (and what it does not)\n\n- The source states the specific affected models/serial numbers, the two acceptable documents that prescribe the work, and that the work must be done before COA issue. (Applicability; Document; Compliance).\n- The source does not include the detailed steps for the reinforcement in the AD text itself; it relies on the referenced Piper SB or FAA AD for technical procedure and parts lists. (Document).\n- The AD text does not state implementation timelines beyond the pre-COA requirement, does not quantify costs, and does not state who performs the work (maintenance organisation or individual technician). (Compliance; Document)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-23-18-aileron-balance-weight-brackets-reinforcement","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-23-18-aileron-balance-weight-brackets-reinforcement/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-23-18-aileron-balance-weight-brackets-reinforcement/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-23-18-aileron-balance-weight-brackets-reinforcement/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-23-18-aileron-balance-weight-brackets-reinforcement/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-23-18-aileron-balance-weight-brackets-reinforcement/documents"}}