{"id":"F2006B05781","name":"AD/PA-31/76 Amdt 5 - Elevator Down Spring","slug":"ad-pa-31-76-amdt-5-elevator-down-spring","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":135658,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05781-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-31/76 Amdt 5 - Elevator Down Spring","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-31/76\n\nAmdt 5\n\n  \nElevator Down Spring 8/98\n\nApplicability: Models Serial Numbers\n\nPA-31, PA-31-300, and PA-31-325 31-2 through 31-8312019 PA-31-350 31-5001 through 31-8553002\n\nPA-31P 31P-1 through 31P7730012\n\nRequirement: 1. For any affected aircraft incorporating a Piper part number (P/N) 42377-02 elevator down spring where the down spring has 900 hours time in service or less, inspect the elevator down spring for cracks or surface deformities in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions section of Piper Aircraft Service Bulletin 626C.\n\nIf any cracks or surface deformities are found during any inspection, accomplish the following:\n\n    (a) For all affected Models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350 aircraft, replace the elevator spring link with a Piper P/N 71086-03 spring link.\n\n    (b) For all the affected aircraft, replace the elevator down spring with a Piper P/N 71056-02 or P/N 71056-03 elevator down spring. Accomplish this in accordance with Section IV, Surface Controls, of the applicable maintenance manual.\n\n    2. Accomplish the following:\n\n    (a) For all affected Models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350 aircraft, replace the elevator spring link with a Piper P/N 71086-03 spring link in accordance with Section IV, Surface Controls, of the applicable maintenance manual.\n\n    (b) For all affected aircraft, replace the elevator down spring with a Piper P/N 71056-02 or 71056-03 spring in accordance with the following:\n\n    (i) For all affected Models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350, accomplish this replacement in accordance with Section IV, Surface Controls, of the applicable maintenance manual.\n\n    (ii) For the affected Model PA-31P aircraft, accomplish this replacement in accordance with the Instructions section in Piper Service Bulletin 1002.\n\n    3. For all affected aircraft, repetitively replace the elevator down spring with a Piper P/N 71056-02 or 71056-03 down spring in accordance with Requirement 2.(b)(i) or 2(b)(ii), as applicable.\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\nNote: FAA AD 98-08-18 Amdt 39-10467 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. Within 100 hours time in service after 16 July 1998, unless already accomplished, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service until the replacement required by Requirement 2 is accomplished.\n\n    2. Upon accumulating 1,000 hours time in service on a Piper P/N 42377-02, 71056- 02, or 71056-03 elevator down spring or within 100 hours time in service after 16 July 1998, whichever occurs later.\n\n    3. At intervals not to exceed 1,000 hours time in service. This amendment becomes effective on 16 July 1998.\n\nBackground: Reports were received of failures of the elevator down spring. Failures of the spring were attributed to a breakdown of the cadmium plating, which led to corrosion and subsequent fatigue failure. Amendment 4 relieved the need for on-going repetitive inspections by introducing a life limit on a specified elevator down spring and link.\n\nAmendment 5 is issued in response to a new FAA AD which mandates certain requirements of the related Piper service bulletin.\n\nAmendment 4 of this airworthiness directive became effective on 9 October 1997. Amendment 3 of this airworthiness directive became effective on 30 November 1986\\. The original issue of this airworthiness directive became effective in January 1979.","sortOrder":0}],"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Amendment 5 incorporates a new FAA AD and related Piper service bulletin requirements into the existing AD: it mandates replacement with specified part numbers (P/N 71056-02/03 and P/N 71086-03), establishes a 1,000‑hour life limit on the springs, sets 100‑hour short‑term inspection/compliance windows, and requires repetitive replacement at 1,000‑hour intervals, thereby expanding and clarifying mandatory maintenance obligations from earlier amendments."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple affected models and narrow serial-number ranges increase applicability checks.","Conditional inspections tied to a specific old part (P/N 42377-02) and time-in-service thresholds (≤900 hours) add branching requirements.","Different mandatory replacement part numbers for links and springs (P/N 71086-03; P/N 71056-02/03) and model-specific installation instructions.","Staggered compliance triggers (within 100 hours after 16 July 1998; upon accumulating 1,000 hours on specified parts; repetitive 1,000‑hour intervals).","References to external documents (Piper Service Bulletin 626C, Service Bulletin 1002, and maintenance manual Section IV) create dependency on other sources for execution.","Ongoing recordkeeping and scheduling burden for repetitive replacements and inspections."],"plain_english_summary":"This directive requires inspection and replacement of specific elevator down springs and spring links on Piper PA‑31 series aeroplanes (specified serial ranges and part numbers) to address corrosion-related fatigue failures. It prescribes short-term inspection intervals, mandatory replacement parts and procedures and ongoing life limits for the springs.\n\nIt affects aircraft owners/operators and maintenance organisations, who must track hours‑in‑service, perform inspections and replace parts per Piper service bulletins and maintenance manuals, incurring parts, labour and downtime costs."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is Amendment 5 of an existing Airworthiness Directive. The background indicates it remains focused on the original safety issue (elevator down spring failures due to corrosion/fatigue). While it introduces new part numbers and aligns with updated FAA requirements, it has not expanded beyond the original scope of ensuring elevator down spring airworthiness for the PA-31 series."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple conditional pathways based on aircraft model (PA-31P vs others) and part number","Cross-references to external technical documents (Piper Service Bulletins 626C and 1002, and FAA AD 98-08-18)","Time-based compliance triggers (100 hours vs 1,000 hours time in service) with 'whichever occurs later' logic","Nested requirements (Requirement 2(b)(i) and 2(b)(ii) referenced in Requirement 3)","Specific part numbers (P/N) that must be tracked for compliance"],"plain_english_summary":"This safety directive requires owners/operators of specified Piper PA‑31 series aircraft to inspect and replace the elevator down spring on a set schedule, substituting it with a corrosion‑resistant improved part and continuing periodic replacements.  \n\nIt targets aircraft at risk from corrosion and metal fatigue that can cause loss of pitch control, preventing accidents by catching failures early and ensuring a more durable replacement."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-76-amdt-5-elevator-down-spring","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-76-amdt-5-elevator-down-spring/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-76-amdt-5-elevator-down-spring/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-76-amdt-5-elevator-down-spring/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-76-amdt-5-elevator-down-spring/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-31-76-amdt-5-elevator-down-spring/documents"}}