{"id":"F2006B05727","name":"AD/PA-31/21 Amdt 3 - Rudder and Nose Gear Steering Cable Assemblies - Inspection and Replacement","slug":"ad-pa-31-21-amdt-3-rudder-and-nose-gear-steering-cable-assemblies-inspection-and-replacement","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":135526,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05727-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-31/21 Amdt 3 - Rudder and Nose Gear Steering Cable Assemblies - Inspection and Replacement","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-31 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/PA-31/21\n\nAmdt 3\n\n  \n\nRudder and Nose Gear Steering Cable Assemblies \\- Inspection and Replacement\n\n  \n8/75\n\nApplicability: All model PA-31P with S/Nos. 31P-1 to 31P-7530019. All model PA-31T with S/Nos. 31T-7400002 to 31T-7520022.\n\nRequirement: 1. Inspect rudder and nose gear steering cable assemblies for wear at all pulley and fair-lead locations.\n\n2. Replace rudder and nose gear steering cable assemblies by installing Piper Kit No. 760-923 in accordance with SB No. 446A.\n\nCompliance: For Para. 1 \\- Within 100 hours time in service after 30 September 1975 and\n\nthereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service until replaced.\n\nFor Para. 2 \\- Within 300 hours time in service after 30 September 1975.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"As Amendment 3 the instrument sets out mandatory, time-bound maintenance actions for specified PA-31 serial numbers: recurring inspections every 100 hours at pulley and fair-lead locations and mandatory replacement with Piper Kit No. 760-923 in accordance with SB No. 446A within 300 hours after 30 September 1975. The amendment therefore narrows and formalises the maintenance obligations (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow, clearly defined applicability limited to two specified PA-31 serial number ranges (Applicability).","Two straightforward mandatory actions: recurring inspections at pulley and fair-lead locations, and replacement using a specified kit/SB (Requirement).","Two fixed compliance timelines (100‑hour inspection intervals; 300‑hour replacement deadline) anchored to a historic start date (Compliance).","Dependency on manufacturer-supplied Kit No. 760-923 and Service Bulletin No. 446A introduces an external dependency for parts/procedures (Requirement).","Technical execution requires qualified maintenance personnel and aircraft downtime, creating operational scheduling complexity for operators (implied by Requirement/Compliance)."],"plain_english_summary":"This directive requires owners/operators of specified Piper PA‑31P and PA‑31T serial-numbered aeroplanes to inspect rudder and nose‑gear steering cable assemblies for wear at every pulley and fair‑lead every 100 flight hours and to replace those assemblies with Piper Kit No. 760‑923 per Service Bulletin No. 446A. Inspections continue until mandatory replacement is completed within 300 flight hours after 30 September 1975. Owners bear costs and schedule downtime."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a narrow, technical safety directive focused specifically on cable assembly inspection and replacement for particular aircraft models. It has not expanded beyond its original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 150 words)","Only 2 defined applicability criteria (aircraft models and serial number ranges)","Two simple, sequential requirements with clear compliance deadlines","No cross-references to other legislation beyond the enabling Civil Aviation Regulations 1998","No conditional logic or exceptions","Single technical reference to an external standard (Piper Service Bulletin 446A)"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive** (a mandatory safety order) issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority for specific Piper aeroplanes.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Requires owners/operators of certain Piper PA-31P and PA-31T aircraft to inspect and eventually replace the rudder and nose gear steering cable assemblies.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of Piper PA-31P aircraft with serial numbers 31P-1 through 31P-7530019\n- Owners and operators of Piper PA-31T aircraft with serial numbers 31T-7400002 through 31T-7520022\n\n**What must be done:**\n1. **Inspections:** Check the rudder and nose gear steering cables for wear at all pulley and fair-lead (guide) locations every 100 flight hours, starting within 100 hours after 30 September 1975\n2. **Replacement:** Install new cable assemblies using Piper Kit No. 760-923 (following Service Bulletin 446A) within 300 flight hours after 30 September 1975\n\n**Why it matters:**\nWorn steering and rudder cables can fail in flight, causing loss of directional control. This directive prevents accidents by ensuring these critical components are inspected regularly and replaced before they fail."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-21-amdt-3-rudder-and-nose-gear-steering-cable-assemblies-inspection-and-replacement","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-21-amdt-3-rudder-and-nose-gear-steering-cable-assemblies-inspection-and-replacement/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-21-amdt-3-rudder-and-nose-gear-steering-cable-assemblies-inspection-and-replacement/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-21-amdt-3-rudder-and-nose-gear-steering-cable-assemblies-inspection-and-replacement/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-21-amdt-3-rudder-and-nose-gear-steering-cable-assemblies-inspection-and-replacement/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-21-amdt-3-rudder-and-nose-gear-steering-cable-assemblies-inspection-and-replacement/documents"}}