{"id":"F2006B05508","name":"AD/PA-23/81 - Fuselage - Step Attachment Area - Inspection","slug":"ad-pa-23-81-fuselage-step-attachment-area-inspection","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":46363,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05508-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-23/81 - Fuselage - Step Attachment Area - Inspection","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-23/81 Fuselage - Step Attachment Area - Inspection 9/80\n\nApplicability: All models PA-23 & PA-23-160 with S/Nos. 23-1 to 23-2046; All models PA-23-235 with S/Nos. 27-505 to 27-622;\n\nAll models PA-23-250 with S/Nos. 27-1 to 27-504;\n\n \n\nAll models PA-23-250 (6 place) with S/Nos. 27-2000 and subsequent.\n\n \n\nDocument: Piper SB No. 672.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 September 1980 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service.\n\n \n\nBackground:  The manufacturer has received reports which indicate that some aeroplanes may develop cracks in the fuselage tubular cross member adjacent to the cabin entry step attachment.\n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The provided text sets out a narrowly framed inspection requirement for specified PA-23 models and serial numbers and cites Piper SB No. 672 for technical detail. The source does not indicate any alteration or expansion of that scope from an earlier or different intent; it presents the applicability, the document reference, and the compliance interval as the operative scope."},"complexity_factors":["Clear, narrow applicability limited to specific PA-23 models and serial-number ranges (Applicability).","Single technical focus (fuselage tubular cross member adjacent to cabin entry step) reduces substantive legal complexity (Background).","Mandatory, simple recurring compliance interval (100 hours TIS) with no staged conditions or exemptions in the text (Compliance).","Technical execution deferred to an external document (Piper SB No. 672), creating operational dependency but not legal complexity in the AD itself (Document).","No multiple-tiered procedures, penalties, or alternative compliance paths set out in the provided text, limiting regulatory branching."],"plain_english_summary":"This directive mandates recurring inspections of the fuselage tubular cross member next to the cabin-entry step on specified Piper PA‑23 series aeroplanes (see applicability), per Piper Service Bulletin No. 672. Owners/operators must arrange and pay for an initial inspection within 100 hours TIS after 30 Sept 1980 and repeat every 100 hours; it responds to reports of cracking and aims to prevent structural failure and related downtime/costs."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive addressing a specific structural defect in a specific aircraft type. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating inspections for fuselage step attachment cracks."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document — approximately 150 words","Only 4 defined applicability criteria (specific aircraft models and serial number ranges)","Single, straightforward compliance requirement (recurring 100-hour inspection)","No cross-references to other legislation or regulations beyond the parent Civil Aviation Regulations 1998","No conditional logic, exceptions, or nested provisions","Clear, unambiguous language with one specific action required"],"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 compulsory \"recall notice\" for aircraft, but instead of fixing cars, it requires specific inspections or repairs to keep planes safe to fly.\n\n**What it does:** This AD applies to specific **Piper PA-23 Apache and Aztec series aeroplanes** (twin-engine light aircraft). It requires owners and operators to:\n- **Inspect the step attachment area** on the fuselage (the part of the plane where the boarding step connects to the body)\n- Look for **cracks in the tubular cross member** (a metal support tube) near where the step attaches\n- Do this inspection **within 100 hours of flying time after 30 September 1980**, then **repeat it every 100 hours of flying time** thereafter\n\n**Who it affects:** Owners and operators of specific Piper PA-23 models with particular serial numbers — essentially older Apache and Aztec aircraft built between the 1950s and 1970s.\n\n**Why it matters:** The manufacturer (Piper) received reports that some planes developed cracks in this area. A cracked structural support could lead to step failure or worse, potentially compromising the fuselage structure. This AD prevents accidents by catching cracks before they become dangerous.\n\n**Key compliance:** If you don't do these inspections, your aircraft is not legally airworthy and cannot fly."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-23-81-fuselage-step-attachment-area-inspection","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-23-81-fuselage-step-attachment-area-inspection/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-23-81-fuselage-step-attachment-area-inspection/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-23-81-fuselage-step-attachment-area-inspection/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-23-81-fuselage-step-attachment-area-inspection/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-23-81-fuselage-step-attachment-area-inspection/documents"}}