{"id":"F2006B05589","name":"AD/PA-28/28 Amdt 2 - Stabilator and Balance Weight Tube Assembly - Inspection","slug":"ad-pa-28-28-amdt-2-stabilator-and-balance-weight-tube-assembly-inspection","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":46633,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05589-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-28/28 Amdt 2 - Stabilator and Balance Weight Tube Assembly - Inspection","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nPiper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/PA-28/28\n\nAmdt 2\n\n  \n\nStabilator and Balance Weight Tube Assembly - Inspection\n\n  \n3/80\n\nApplicability: All models PA-28-140, -150, -160, -180 and 180S except those fitted with tube P/N 69623-04V and subsequent P/N tubes. All models PA-28R-180 and \\-200, and PA-28- 235 except those fitted with tube P/N 69623-02V and subsequent P/N tubes.\n\nRequirement: 1. Using a magnetic particle or dye penetrant method, inspect the stabilator balance weight tube assembly for cracking in the vicinity of the control cable lugs and the tube attachment bolt holes.\n\nNote: A magnetic particle inspection method must be used where mechanical means or sand blasting has been used to remove surface protective treatment.\n\n    2. Visually inspect the stabilator/tube mount fittings P/N 63567-03 (2 off) for wear, cracking and/or loose rivets.\n\n    3. Inspect the stabilator mounting points for possible stabilator side movement. Should side movement be evident, install combination of AN960-416L and AN960-416 washers as many as necessary to centre the stabilator assembly and eliminate any side movement.\n\nNote: Piper SB No. 327 details removal and installation of the balance weight tube.\n\nCompliance: Before exceeding 500 hours total time in service for aircraft with less than 450 hours time in service as at 12 January 1971 unless already inspected in accordance with the preceding issue of this Directive. Within 50 hours time in service for aircraft with more than 450 hours total time in service as at 12 January 1971 unless inspected in accordance with the preceding issue of this Directive. Thereafter at intervals not exceeding 200 hours time in service.\n\nBackground: The applicability statement has been amended to remove the possibility of ambiguity.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The directive's applicability statement was amended to clarify which aircraft are covered by excluding those fitted with later balance weight tube part numbers (P/N 69623-04V and subsequent for certain PA-28 models; P/N 69623-02V and subsequent for others), removing ambiguity in the original applicability wording (Background; Applicability)."},"complexity_factors":["Part-number based applicability exclusions (excludes aircraft fitted with tube P/N 69623-04V and subsequent tubes for some models, and P/N 69623-02V and subsequent tubes for others) — (Applicability).","Multiple inspection methods and a mandatory-method override: magnetic particle or dye penetrant allowed generally, but magnetic particle is required where protective treatment was removed by mechanical means or sand blasting — (Requirement 1, Note).","Staggered compliance timing tied to aircraft hours as of a historical reference date: different initial deadlines for aircraft with less than or more than 450 hours as at 12 January 1971, then recurring inspections at 200‑hour intervals — (Compliance).","Combination of non‑destructive testing (NDT) and simple visual checks: NDT for tube cracking, visual inspection for mount fittings and rivets — (Requirement 1 and 2).","Prescribed corrective action limited in scope (shimming with AN960-416L and AN960-416 washers to eliminate side movement) but requires maintenance judgement to determine quantity — (Requirement 3).","Reference to manufacturer service bulletin for removal/installation procedure (Piper SB No.327) creates a dependency on external technical documentation — (Note).","Operational burden falls on operators/maintenance providers to perform periodic inspections, obtain NDT capability or contractor services, and source specified washers if corrective action is needed — (Requirements and Compliance)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires specified Piper PA-28 models to have the stabilator balance weight tube assembly and mount fittings inspected for cracking, wear and looseness, using magnetic particle or dye‑penetrant methods where stated, and excludes aircraft fitted with later tube part numbers.  Inspections must occur at the stated service‑hour thresholds (initial timing based on hours at 12 Jan 1971 and recurring every 200 hours) and may require fitting specified washers to eliminate side movement; operators/maintenance providers must carry out the work and follow Piper SB No.327 for tube removal/installation."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is Amendment 2 of an existing Airworthiness Directive. The background note explicitly states the only change is to 'remove the possibility of ambiguity' in the applicability statement. The core safety requirement (inspecting the stabilator balance tube) remains unchanged from the original 1980 directive (indicated by '3/80' — March 1980). No expansion of scope has occurred."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple applicability conditions based on aircraft model, part number, and flight hours as of a specific historical date (12 January 1971)","Nested compliance deadlines with three different triggering conditions (hours-based thresholds and calendar reference point)","Technical aviation terminology requiring specialized knowledge (stabilator, P/N numbers, magnetic particle inspection, dye penetrant method)","Cross-reference to external document (Piper Service Bulletin No. 327) for procedural details","Specific hardware references (AN960-416L washers) requiring technical lookup"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive mandates inspection and corrective action on the stabilator balance weight tube assembly of specified Piper PA‑28/Cherokee models to detect cracks, worn fittings, and excess play, with follow-up fixes and recurring checks. It affects owners/operators of certain PA‑28 and PA‑28R models unless upgraded balance‑tube parts are already fitted. The rule prevents loss of pitch control from cracked or loose stabilator components."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-28-28-amdt-2-stabilator-and-balance-weight-tube-assembly-inspection","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-28-28-amdt-2-stabilator-and-balance-weight-tube-assembly-inspection/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-28-28-amdt-2-stabilator-and-balance-weight-tube-assembly-inspection/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-28-28-amdt-2-stabilator-and-balance-weight-tube-assembly-inspection/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-28-28-amdt-2-stabilator-and-balance-weight-tube-assembly-inspection/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-28-28-amdt-2-stabilator-and-balance-weight-tube-assembly-inspection/documents"}}