{"id":"F2006B05670","name":"AD/PA-30/29 - Aileron Spar - Inspection and Modification","slug":"ad-pa-30-29-aileron-spar-inspection-and-modification","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":135401,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05670-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-30/29 - Aileron Spar - Inspection and 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-30 & 39 (Twin Comanche) Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/PA-30/29 Aileron Spar - Inspection and Modification 1/77\n\nApplicability: All models PA-30 and PA-39 with S/Nos. 30-2 to 30-2000; and 39-1 to 39-155 not incorporating Piper Kit No. 760914.\n\n \n\nDocument: Piper SL No. 787.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Inspect within 100 hours time in service after 28 February 1977 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service until modified.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive focused on a specific airworthiness issue in specific aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of addressing the aileron spar integrity issue in early-production Piper Twin Comanche aircraft."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 150 words of substantive content)","Only 4 defined elements: applicability (aircraft models/serial numbers), document reference, compliance timeframe, and exemption criteria","No cross-references to other legislation or regulations beyond the parent Civil Aviation Regulations 1998","Simple conditional logic: 'if serial number in range AND kit not installed, then comply'","Single compliance pathway with clear time trigger (100 hours time-in-service)","No nested exceptions or layered definitions"],"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 for aircraft, but issued by the regulator rather than the manufacturer.\n\n**What it does:** It requires owners and operators of specific Piper twin-engine aircraft (the PA-30 and PA-39 \"Twin Comanche\" models) to inspect the **aileron spar** — a structural beam inside the wing that the ailerons (the moving surfaces that control roll) attach to. The concern is potential cracking or failure of this critical component.\n\n**Who it affects:** \n- Owners and operators of Piper PA-30 and PA-39 aircraft with serial numbers 30-2 through 30-2000, and 39-1 through 39-155\n- **Exemption:** Aircraft that have already been modified using \"Piper Kit No. 760914\" don't need to comply (they've already been fixed)\n\n**What must be done:**\n- **Initial inspection:** Within 100 hours of flying time after 28 February 1977\n- **Ongoing inspections:** Every 100 hours of flight time thereafter\n- **Permanent fix:** Continue these inspections until the aircraft is modified (presumably using the Piper kit mentioned)\n\n**Why it matters:** Aileron spar failure could cause loss of roll control or structural wing failure — potentially catastrophic. This AD ensures potential cracks are caught before they cause accidents.\n\n**The technical reference:** Operators must follow \"Piper Service Letter No. 787\" — the manufacturer's official instructions for how to perform these inspections and modifications."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The source text sets out the applicability and compliance requirements for the AD and does not show any amendments or alterations to that scope within the document. There is no indication in the provided text that the directive's scope has been changed from its original terms as stated (Applicability; Compliance; Document)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow, model- and serial-number-specific applicability (clear population). (Applicability)","Simple, numeric compliance interval (100 hours time in service) and a clear condition to stop repeating inspections (once modified). (Compliance)","Technical details and methods are not included in the text; compliance depends on an external document (Piper SL No. 787), creating a dependency on another source. (Document)","No detail in the directive about cost allocation, certification of modification, or enforcement procedures — implementers must consult regulator and service letter. (Document; header)","Vintage date reference (28 February 1977) and serial ranges require accurate historical maintenance/time-in-service records to determine applicability and compliance timing. (Applicability; Compliance)"],"plain_english_summary":"This directive mandates repeated inspections of the aileron spar on specific Piper PA‑30 and PA‑39 Twin Comanches (serial ranges listed) every 100 hours until they are modified per Piper Service Letter No. 787. It affects owners/operators and maintenance organisations who must schedule, perform and certify inspections or elect the one‑off modification. The rule preserves airworthiness but creates recurring maintenance costs and an economic incentive to install the modification."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-30-29-aileron-spar-inspection-and-modification","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-30-29-aileron-spar-inspection-and-modification/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-30-29-aileron-spar-inspection-and-modification/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-30-29-aileron-spar-inspection-and-modification/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-30-29-aileron-spar-inspection-and-modification/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-30-29-aileron-spar-inspection-and-modification/documents"}}