{"id":"F2006B05749","name":"AD/PA-31/45 - Battery Drain - Relocation","slug":"ad-pa-31-45-battery-drain-relocation","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":135588,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05749-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-31/45 - Battery Drain - Relocation","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-31 Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/PA-31/45 Battery Drain - Relocation 6/76\n\nApplicability: Model PA-31-350 with S/Nos. 31-5001 to 31-7552073 incl. Document:  1. Piper SB No. 460A; or\n\n2. FAA AD 76-04-10.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Within 200 hours time in service after 30 June 1976.\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":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive's scope is as stated: it applies to PA-31-350 aeroplanes with serial numbers 31-5001 to 31-7552073 inclusive and requires relocation of the battery drain per the referenced documents within 200 hours TIS after 30 June 1976. The text contains no indication that the applicability or required action has been expanded or narrowed from that stated specification."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow technical scope: applies to a single aircraft model and a single serial‑number range (Applicability).","Reliance on external technical documents for the required procedure (Piper SB No. 460A or FAA AD 76-04-10) increases practical complexity for implementers (Document).","Fixed, time‑bound compliance window (200 hours TIS after 30 June 1976) requires operators to schedule work within an operational timeframe (Compliance).","Implementation requires technical maintenance work (parts, labour, possible downtime), creating operational and logistical burden for owners/operators (Document; Applicability).","Limited regulatory discretion in method — the directive specifies acceptable procedures rather than leaving method open (Document)."],"plain_english_summary":"This directive mandates relocating the battery drain system on Piper PA‑31‑350 aeroplanes (SN 31‑5001 through 31‑7552073) in accordance with Piper SB No. 460A or FAA AD 76‑04‑10, to be completed within 200 hours TIS after 30 June 1976.\n\nOwners/operators bear parts, labour and downtime costs; maintenance organizations must perform and record the work to the specified procedure. The rule removes discretion for affected aircraft, imposing a one‑time compliance obligation to remain legally operable."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, single-issue safety directive from 1976 addressing a specific technical defect in a specific aircraft type. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating a battery relocation fix."},"complexity_factors":["Extremely short document (under 200 words)","Only 3 operative provisions: applicability, document reference, and compliance deadline","No defined terms section — uses plain aircraft terminology","No cross-references to other legislation beyond the two optional source documents","Simple conditional logic: if you operate this specific aircraft model in this serial number range, you must do this specific action by this deadline","Single exception path: two alternative documents permitted for compliance (Piper SB or FAA AD)"],"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, but for aircraft instead of cars.\n\n**What it does:** It requires owners and operators of specific **Piper PA-31-350 aircraft** (a twin-engine plane commonly used for charter and freight work) to fix a **battery drain problem**. The fix involves relocating the battery to prevent it from running flat, which could leave the aircraft without electrical power in flight.\n\n**Who must comply:** Anyone operating a PA-31-350 with serial numbers between **31-5001 and 31-7552073**. This covers most \"Navajo Chieftain\" aircraft built during a specific production run.\n\n**How to comply:** Operators must follow either:\n- **Piper Service Bulletin No. 460A** (the manufacturer's official repair instructions), OR\n- **FAA AD 76-04-10** (the equivalent American safety order)\n\n**Deadline:** The work had to be done within **200 hours of flying time** after 30 June 1976.\n\n**Why it matters:** A flat battery in flight can mean losing radios, navigation equipment, lighting, and potentially engine ignition systems — creating serious safety risks, especially at night or in bad weather."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-45-battery-drain-relocation","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-45-battery-drain-relocation/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-45-battery-drain-relocation/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-45-battery-drain-relocation/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-45-battery-drain-relocation/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-45-battery-drain-relocation/documents"}}