{"id":"F2019L01357","name":"AD/PA-31/124 Amdt 1 Wing Spar Splice Plate (Chieftain)","slug":"ad-pa-31-124-amdt-1-wing-spar-splice-plate-chieftain","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":100200,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2019L01357-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes","sectionType":"part","heading":"Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes","content":"# Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/PA-31/124 Amdt 1 | Wing Spar Splice Plate (Chieftain) | 22/2019 |\n| ------------------- | ---------------------------------- | ------- |\n\n| Applicability: | All Piper Chieftain PA31-350, PA31-350/A1, PA31-350/A2 and PA31-350T1020 model aircraft.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |\n| -------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | 1. a. Replace the main wing spar splice plate in accordance with the instructions in Piper Service Bulletin 1003 dated 16 June 1997, as in force at the date of this AD.b. Visually inspect the removed splice plate for any signs of fretting, corrosion or cracks.c. Report any defects found in the splice plate via the CASA defect reporting system.Note 1: For information, FAA AD 98-09-25 mandates Piper Service Bulletin 1003. |\n| Compliance:    | 1. Upon achieving 13,000 hours’ aircraft time in service (TIS), or 2000 hours’ TIS after the splice plate is inspected in accordance with a CASA approved inspection program (see AD/PA-31/37 as in force from time to time), whichever is the later.Note 2: The words “as in force from time to time” require compliance with the most recent version of the referenced document.                                                      |\n|                | This AD commences on 25 October 2019.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |\n| Background:    | Fretting has caused fatigue cracking in both PA-31 Navajo and PA31-350 Chieftain models.Although the PA31-350 design in this area is an improvement over the PA-31, fretting has been found. This requires control action for those aircraft that have had their life extended without replacement of the splice plate.                                                                                                                 |\n\n|     | Amendment 1 of this AD clarifies the compliance section and removes the requirement to forward removed splice plates to CASA. It also adds the PA31‑350T1020 model to the applicability and inserts references to the associated Piper Service Bulletin and FAA AD. |\n| --- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n\n![A drawing of a face\nDescription automatically generated](image.001.jpeg)\n\nPieter van Dijk  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n18 October 2019","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/PA-31/124 Amdt 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/PA-31/124 Amdt 1","content":"## AD/PA-31/124 Amdt 1","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Wing Spar Splice Plate (Chieftain)","sectionType":"part","heading":"Wing Spar Splice Plate (Chieftain)","content":"## Wing Spar Splice Plate (Chieftain)","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"22/2019","sectionType":"part","heading":"22/2019","content":"## 22/2019","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"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"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope: addressing wing spar splice plate fatigue in specific Piper Chieftain models. Amendment 1 is a minor technical update that clarifies compliance timing, removes an administrative burden (sending parts to CASA), and adds one additional aircraft model. The core safety purpose remains unchanged."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose document (approximately 300 words)","Only 4 defined aircraft models in applicability section","Simple conditional compliance: 'whichever is the later' timing calculation","One cross-reference to another AD (AD/PA-31/37) and one to a Piper Service Bulletin","Clear structure: Applicability → Requirement → Compliance → Background → Amendment notes","Minimal legal jargon — written for aircraft engineers and operators rather than lawyers"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires owners/operators of specified Piper Chieftain (PA‑31‑350) variants to replace the main wing spar splice plate per Piper's service instructions, inspect the removed plate for fretting, corrosion or cracks, and report any defects to CASA. Compliance is at 13,000 flight hours or 2,000 hours after last approved inspection, whichever is later.\n\nAmendment 1 clarifies timing, adds the PA31‑350T1020 model, and removes the previous requirement to send removed parts to CASA."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Amendment 1 changes the AD’s scope and administrative requirements: it adds the PA31‑350T1020 to applicability (Applicability row), clarifies the compliance wording and timing (Compliance section), removes the previous obligation to forward removed splice plates to CASA (Amendment 1 note), and explicitly references Piper Service Bulletin 1003 and FAA AD 98-09-25 (Requirement 1.a; Note 1)."},"complexity_factors":["Targeted technical requirement to replace a structural component (Requirement 1.a–1.c) — requires coordination of parts, maintenance labour and inspection expertise.","Cross-references to external mandatory documents: Piper Service Bulletin 1003 and FAA AD 98-09-25 (Requirement 1.a; Note 1) create a dependency on documents that can be updated.","Time-based compliance that depends on aircraft hours-in-service and interaction with CASA‑approved inspection programs (Compliance section) introduces scheduling and record-keeping complexity for operators.","Reporting obligation for defects via the CASA defect reporting system (Requirement 1.c) adds administrative burden and potential follow-up actions.","Amendment changes (Amendment 1) alter obligations (removal of plate-forwarding requirement) and expand applicability (adds PA31‑350T1020), requiring operators to check the updated AD text rather than relying on older copies."],"plain_english_summary":"This airworthiness directive requires owners/operators of Piper Chieftain PA31-350 series aeroplanes to replace the main wing spar splice plate and visually inspect the removed plate for fretting, corrosion or cracks, following Piper Service Bulletin 1003. Compliance is tied to aircraft time-in-service (13,000 hours) or 2,000 hours after a CASA‑approved inspection program. Amendment 1 adds the PA31‑350T1020 model, clarifies the compliance wording and removes the previous requirement to forward removed plates."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-124-amdt-1-wing-spar-splice-plate-chieftain","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-124-amdt-1-wing-spar-splice-plate-chieftain/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-124-amdt-1-wing-spar-splice-plate-chieftain/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-124-amdt-1-wing-spar-splice-plate-chieftain/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-124-amdt-1-wing-spar-splice-plate-chieftain/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-124-amdt-1-wing-spar-splice-plate-chieftain/documents"}}