{"id":"F2006B05672","name":"AD/PA-30/30 - Fuel Selector Valve - Inspection","slug":"ad-pa-30-30-fuel-selector-valve-inspection","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":135407,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05672-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-30/30 - Fuel Selector Valve - 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-30 & 39 (Twin Comanche) Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/PA-30/30 Fuel Selector Valve - Inspection 10/78\n\nApplicability: Models PA-30 with S/Nos. 30-2 to 30-2000, PA-39 with S/Nos. 39-1 to 39-155. Document:               Piper SL No. 851, Part A.\n\nNote: Items 1 to 4 only may be performed and certified by the pilot.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Within 50 hours time in service after 30 October 1978 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service.\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 specifically on fuel selector valve inspections for two Piper aircraft models. It has not expanded beyond its original narrow scope — it addresses exactly one mechanical issue on exactly two aircraft types with no ancillary provisions."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document — approximately 150 words of substantive content","Only 2 defined applicability criteria (serial number ranges for two aircraft models)","Single compliance requirement with clear time trigger (50 hours initial, 100 hours recurring)","One explicit exception noted (pilot may certify items 1-4)","No cross-references to other legislation beyond citation of Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 Part 39","Single external document reference (Piper Service Letter No. 851, Part A)","No conditional logic, nested exceptions, or alternative compliance paths"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — essentially a mandatory safety order for aircraft owners and operators.\n\n**What it does:**\nOrders owners of specific Piper twin-engine aircraft (PA-30 and PA-39 \"Twin Comanche\" models) to inspect their **fuel selector valves** — the mechanism that switches between fuel tanks. This is critical because a faulty valve could starve an engine of fuel or cause fuel leaks.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of Piper PA-30 aircraft with serial numbers 30-2 through 30-2000\n- Owners and operators of Piper PA-39 aircraft with serial numbers 39-1 through 39-155\n- Licensed aircraft maintenance engineers (for most of the work)\n- **Pilots themselves** can legally perform and certify items 1-4 of this inspection (a rare exception — normally only qualified mechanics can certify maintenance)\n\n**When it must be done:**\n- First inspection: within 50 hours of flying time after 30 October 1978\n- Repeat inspections: every 100 hours of flying time thereafter\n\n**Why it matters:**\nFuel system failures are a leading cause of engine stoppages in flight. This AD was issued to prevent accidents caused by defective fuel selector valves in these specific Piper aircraft. The repetitive inspection requirement (every 100 hours) suggests this was a known wear-and-tear issue requiring ongoing vigilance rather than a one-off fix."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The text of the AD sets a clearly delimited scope: it applies only to the listed PA-30 and PA-39 serial numbers and mandates inspection per Piper SL No. 851, Part A on the stated timeline. There is no indication within the provided text that the AD’s scope has changed from its own stated requirements; the AD does not include any modifications or amendments to those applicability or compliance terms."},"complexity_factors":["Applicability limited to specific model and serial number ranges (requires checking serial numbers). (Applicability)","Mandates compliance with an external service document (Piper SL No. 851, Part A) for procedure details rather than containing full procedures itself. (Document)","Mixed performance/certification rules: items 1–4 may be performed and certified by the pilot; other items not authorised to pilots by this AD. (Note)","Time-based compliance schedule anchored to a historical date (initial within 50 hours after 30 Oct 1978) and recurring 100‑hour intervals. (Compliance)","The AD text provided is brief and does not specify the substantive inspection tasks, creating dependence on the referenced service letter for substantive compliance steps. (Document)"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD mandates recurring inspections of the fuel selector valve per Piper SL No. 851, Part A for specified PA‑30 (S/N 30‑2 to 30‑2000) and PA‑39 (S/N 39‑1 to 39‑155) aeroplanes: an initial check within 50 hours TIS after 30 Oct 1978 and repeats every 100 hours TIS.  \n\nOwners/operators must ensure, record, and pay for compliance; pilots may perform/certify only items 1–4 of the service letter, with remaining tasks requiring other certification."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-30-30-fuel-selector-valve-inspection","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-30-30-fuel-selector-valve-inspection/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-30-30-fuel-selector-valve-inspection/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-30-30-fuel-selector-valve-inspection/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-30-30-fuel-selector-valve-inspection/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-30-30-fuel-selector-valve-inspection/documents"}}