{"id":"F2006B05543","name":"AD/PA-24/44 Amdt 1 - Main Landing Gear Side Brace Stud","slug":"ad-pa-24-44-amdt-1-main-landing-gear-side-brace-stud","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":46470,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05543-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-24/44 Amdt 1 - Main Landing Gear Side Brace Stud","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nAIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-24/44 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\nPiper PA-24 (Comanche) Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/PA-24/44\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \nMain Landing Gear Side Brace Stud 9/2002\n\nApplicability: Models PA24, PA24-250, PA-24-260, and PA24-400 aircraft.\n\nRequirement: Remove both the left and right main gear side brace studs from the aircraft in accordance with the instructions contained in the Landing Gear section of the maintenance manual, and inspect each main gear side brace stud for cracks using fluorescent penetrant or magnetic particle inspection methods. Figure 1 of this Directive depicts the area where the sidebrace stud is to be inspected.\n\n![](image.002.jpeg)  \n\nPiper PA-24 (Comanche) Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/PA-24/44 Amdt 1 (continued)\n\nThis figure is provided to depict the area of the sidebrace stud to be inspected. This is not intended to represent the configuration of all models affected.\n\nNote 1: All affected Models PA24 and PA24-250 aircraft were equipped at manufacture with part number 20829-00 main gear side brace studs. All affected Models PA24-260 and PA24-400 aircraft were equipped at manufacture with part number 22512-00 main gear side brace studs.\n\nFor any main gear side brace stud found cracked, replace the cracked stud with an approved serviceable part in accordance with the instructions contained in the Landing Gear section of the applicable maintenance manual.\n\nNote 2: FAA AD 97-01-01 R1 Amdt 39-10864 refers.\n\nCompliance: Within the next 100 hours time in service after 4 January 1996, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 hours time in service.\n\nThe original compliance times of this Airworthiness Directive are unchanged by this amendme nt.\n\nThis amendment becomes effective on 5 September 2002.\n\nBackground: The FAA received reports of main gear side brace stud cracks, including seven incidents where the main landing gear collapsed. The actions specified by this Directive are intended to prevent a main gear collapse caused by main gear side brace stud cracks, which could result in loss of control of the aircraft during landing operations.\n\nAmendment 1 updates the FAA AD reference.\n\nThe original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 4 January 1996.\n\n![](image.003.jpeg)  \n\nDavid Alan Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 23 July 2002\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 August 2002.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Amendment 1 does not expand the AD's substantive scope. The requirement (remove and inspect both side brace studs; replace any cracked studs), the list of affected aircraft, the original part numbers, and the compliance intervals remain as originally issued. The only change in this amendment is an update to the referenced FAA AD, so the scope of obligations on owners/operators is unchanged."},"complexity_factors":["Short instrument with a single technical requirement (remove, inspect, replace if cracked)","4 aircraft models listed in Applicability","2 specific original part numbers noted (PN 20829-00 and PN 22512-00)","2 accepted inspection methods specified (fluorescent penetrant or magnetic particle)","Single recurring compliance schedule with two time anchors (initial 100 hours after 4 Jan 1996; repeat every 1,000 hours)","Cross-reference to an FAA AD (FAA AD 97-01-01 R1 Amdt 39-10864)","Amendment limited to updating a reference (no change to substantive requirements)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this directive does**\n\n- This Airworthiness Directive (AD) requires owners/operators of specified Piper PA-24 (Comanche) aeroplane models to remove both left and right main landing gear side brace studs, inspect them for cracks using fluorescent penetrant or magnetic particle inspection, and replace any cracked stud with an approved serviceable part. (Requirement)\n\n- The inspections must follow the aircraft maintenance manual's Landing Gear section. The AD identifies the specific region of the stud to be inspected (figure provided). (Requirement)\n\n- The directive applies to Models PA24, PA24-250, PA-24-260 and PA24-400. It notes the original part numbers fitted at manufacture: PN 20829-00 for PA24 and PA24-250; PN 22512-00 for PA24-260 and PA24-400. (Applicability; Note 1)\n\n- Compliance timing: an initial inspection was required within the next 100 hours time-in-service after 4 January 1996, and thereafter inspections at intervals not to exceed 1,000 hours time-in-service. The amendment does not change those compliance times. (Compliance)\n\n- Amendment 1 does not change the substantive inspection or replacement requirements; it updates the referenced FAA AD. (Amendment 1)\n\n**Who this affects**\n\n- Owners and operators of the listed Piper PA-24 series aircraft.\n- Licensed maintenance organisations and maintenance personnel who must perform the removal, inspection and any replacement in accordance with the maintenance manual.\n\n**Why it matters (stated rationale and practical effect)**\n\n- The stated safety reason is that cracked main gear side brace studs have been reported and have led to gear collapses. The inspections and replacement requirement are intended to prevent a main gear collapse during landing operations. (Background)\n\n**Practical mechanics, costs and decisions**\n\n- Who pays: aircraft owners/operators pay for labour, inspections, and any replacement studs and associated parts. There is also opportunity cost from aircraft downtime while parts are removed and inspected. (Requirement; Compliance)\n\n- Who decides and acts: the CASA delegate issued the AD; maintenance must be performed following the aircraft maintenance manual by qualified personnel or approved maintenance organisations. Owners/operators must schedule the inspections to meet the AD intervals. (AD signature; Requirement)\n\n- Behaviour changes required: remove both studs, perform non‑destructive testing (fluorescent penetrant or magnetic particle), replace any cracked studs with approved parts, and repeat at mandated intervals. (Requirement; Compliance)\n\n**Implementation risks, compliance burden and trade-offs**\n\n- Inspection accuracy depends on the chosen non‑destructive method and the skill of maintenance personnel; small cracks might be missed if inspections are poorly executed.\n- Owners face recurring maintenance cost and aircraft downtime every 1,000 flight hours (and the initial 100‑hour deadline that was set in 1996). If replacement studs are required, parts availability could cause additional downtime or cost.\n- The AD mandates removal of the studs for inspection, which increases labour time relative to an in‑place inspection and therefore increases direct maintenance cost.\n- The directive restricts acceptable corrective action to replacement with an \"approved serviceable part\"; owners cannot substitute unlisted parts without approval, which limits private choice but preserves regulatory conformity. (Requirement)\n\n**Scope and cross-references**\n\n- The AD cross-references FAA AD 97-01-01 R1 Amdt 39-10864; Amendment 1 updates that FAA reference but leaves the core Australian requirements unchanged. (Note 2; Amendment 1)\n\n**Summary sentence**\n\nOwners/operators of the specified Piper PA-24 models must periodically remove and non‑destructively inspect both main landing gear side brace studs and replace any cracked studs with approved parts; the amendment updates the FAA reference but does not change inspection or compliance requirements."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This amendment makes no substantive change to the scope. The 'Background' explicitly states 'Amendment 1 updates the FAA AD reference' only, and the document confirms 'The original compliance times of this Airworthiness Directive are unchanged by this amendment.' The scope remains limited to the specific landing gear inspection requirement for the four PA-24 models as originally intended."},"complexity_factors":["Single, clearly defined applicability (4 specific aircraft models)","Straightforward two-step requirement: inspect and replace if cracked","Only 2 defined part numbers in notes, no interpretation section","Simple compliance schedule (initial + recurring interval)","No nested exceptions or conditional logic","Minimal cross-referencing (one FAA AD reference in a note)","Short document (approximately 400 words) with clear structure"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD replaces the earlier AD/PA-24/44 and requires owners/operators and maintenance organisations of Piper PA‑24 series aircraft to inspect main landing‑gear side‑brace studs for cracks using fluorescent penetrant or magnetic particle inspection and to replace any cracked studs. It responds to FAA reports, including seven landing‑gear collapses, that could cause loss of control and serious injury.\n\nAmendment 1 only updates the FAA reference; inspection intervals and requirements are unchanged."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-24-44-amdt-1-main-landing-gear-side-brace-stud","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-24-44-amdt-1-main-landing-gear-side-brace-stud/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-24-44-amdt-1-main-landing-gear-side-brace-stud/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-24-44-amdt-1-main-landing-gear-side-brace-stud/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-24-44-amdt-1-main-landing-gear-side-brace-stud/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-24-44-amdt-1-main-landing-gear-side-brace-stud/documents"}}