{"id":"F2006B05524","name":"AD/PA-24/26 Amdt 1 - Pitch Trim Switch - Modification","slug":"ad-pa-24-26-amdt-1-pitch-trim-switch-modification","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":46403,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05524-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-24/26 Amdt 1 - Pitch Trim Switch - 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)  Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/PA-24/26\n\nAmdt 1\n\n\nPitch Trim Switch - Modification 5/71\n\n \n\nApplicability: Model PA-24-260 with S/Nos. 24-4783 to 24-5047 fitted with rocker type trim switch on pilot’s control wheel.\n\n \n\nDocument: 1. Piper SB No. 527; or\n\n \n\n2. FAA AD 77-09-10.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 28 February, 1977.\n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a narrow, technical safety directive focused on a specific mechanical component on specific aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating a safety modification to the pitch trim switch."},"complexity_factors":["Single, clearly defined applicability clause (specific model and serial number range)","Only two compliance documents referenced (Piper SB 527 and FAA AD 77-09-10)","Simple compliance deadline (100 hours time in service after fixed date)","No defined terms section","No nested exceptions or conditional logic","Extremely short document (approximately 150 words)"],"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 like a compulsory recall notice, but for aircraft instead of cars.\n\n**What it requires:** Owners and operators of specific **Piper PA-24 Comanche** aeroplanes must modify the **pitch trim switch** on the pilot's control wheel. The original \"rocker type\" switch must be replaced or modified according to instructions in Piper Service Bulletin No. 527 or the equivalent US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directive.\n\n**Which planes are affected:** Only **PA-24-260 model** aircraft with serial numbers between **24-4783 and 24-5047** that have the rocker-style trim switch installed.\n\n**Why it matters:** The pitch trim switch controls the aircraft's nose-up and nose-down attitude. A faulty or poorly designed switch could cause unexpected pitch changes, potentially leading to loss of control. This directive addresses a known safety defect.\n\n**When it had to be done:** Within **100 hours of flying time** after **28 February 1977** — meaning this directive is now long past its compliance deadline and would only be relevant for historical aircraft records or newly imported aircraft being brought onto the Australian register."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument is labelled as Amendment 1 (AD/PA-24/26 Amdt 1), indicating it modifies a prior airworthiness directive. The text provided does not state the original wording or how this amendment alters the original scope, so the exact nature of the change to scope or requirements is not specified in the source document supplied. (See heading: AD/PA-24/26 Amdt 1.)"},"complexity_factors":["Very narrow applicability to a specific model and serial-number range (Applicability)","Mandatory compliance with externally referenced technical documents (Piper SB No. 527 or FAA AD 77-09-10) increases procedural dependence on those sources (Document)","Short, fixed compliance window measured in flight hours from a historical date (100 hours after 28 February 1977) which creates scheduling pressure (Compliance)","Technical nature of the modification (aircraft pitch trim control) requires certified maintenance personnel and parts, adding operational complexity (implicit in Document and Applicability)","Limited text in the instrument about alternatives or enforcement details—operators must consult the referenced documents and regulatory practice for operational specifics (Document)"],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive mandates modification of the pilot’s rocker-type pitch trim switch on Piper PA-24-260 aircraft with serial numbers 24-4783 to 24-5047, to be done per Piper Service Bulletin No. 527 or FAA AD 77-09-10 within 100 hours TIS after 28 Feb 1977. \n\nIt affects owners/operators, who must fund and arrange the specified modification to maintain airworthiness; it matters because compliance is mandatory and limits remediation to the two prescribed technical procedures."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-24-26-amdt-1-pitch-trim-switch-modification","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-24-26-amdt-1-pitch-trim-switch-modification/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-24-26-amdt-1-pitch-trim-switch-modification/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-24-26-amdt-1-pitch-trim-switch-modification/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-24-26-amdt-1-pitch-trim-switch-modification/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-24-26-amdt-1-pitch-trim-switch-modification/documents"}}