{"id":"F2006B05810","name":"AD/PA-32/17 Amdt 4 - Control Wheel - Inspection","slug":"ad-pa-32-17-amdt-4-control-wheel-inspection","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":135753,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05810-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-32/17 Amdt 4 - Control Wheel - Inspection","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-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/PA-32/17\n\nAmdt 4\n\n  \nControl Wheel \\- Inspection 11/78\n\nApplicability: All model PA-32 fitted with plastic control wheels as shown in Piper SL 527D. Requirement: Inspection:\n\nRemove the Piper medallion from the face of the control wheel (if applicable). Inspect the control wheel hubs for cracks, which may propagate from the edge or bore of the retaining pin hole, using the method details below. If cracks are found the control wheel shall be replaced before further flight.\n\nInspection Method:\n\n    Clean the hub with an ordinary detergent and water.\n\nNote: Do not use solvents as these may contain detrimental substances such as acetone.\n\n    2. Using an inspection light and at least a X3 magnifying glass, inspect the surface area covered by a band of at least 1/2\" width from the top to the bottom of the pin on the front and rear faces of the hub and a similar band across the lower face of the hub.\n\nNote 1: Cracks will show up as black lines under the inspection light. If a line is only a scratch the bottom of the scratch will be visible.\n\nNote 2: The control wheel medallion may be refitted with a regular contact cement \\- DO NOT use an acetate type adhesive or any other type of plastic cement. (Piper SL 527D refers).\n\nCompliance: Unless previously accomplished, within 25 hours time in service after 30 November 1978 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service until replaced in accordance with Piper SL 527D.","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"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a narrow, targeted safety directive focused specifically on plastic control wheel inspection for one aircraft series. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of addressing a known airworthiness concern with cracking hubs."},"complexity_factors":["Single specific aircraft model and component targeted","Straightforward two-step inspection procedure with clear pass/fail criteria","Only 2 defined compliance timeframes (initial 25 hours, recurring 100 hours)","Minimal cross-references (only to Piper Service Letter 527D)","No nested exceptions or conditional logic — simple 'if cracks found, replace' rule","Short document (approximately 250 words)"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive mandates regular inspections of plastic control wheel hubs on Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six aircraft to detect cracks around the retaining-pin hole and requires replacement if cracks are found. Inspections use bright light and magnification, clean with detergent (no solvents); comply within the AD’s scheduled hours and repeat until replacement. It matters because cracked wheels can fail in flight, risking loss of control; follow adhesive guidance when refitting medallions."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument itself sets inspection and replacement requirements for specified PA-32 control wheels; the text does not indicate any change in scope from an earlier version. It applies to all PA-32s fitted with the plastic control wheels shown in Piper SL 527D and prescribes inspection method, replacement trigger, and compliance timing."},"complexity_factors":["Technical inspection specifics: cleaning method, magnification (≥3×), and lighting required (Inspection Method).","Material restrictions: prohibition on solvents and acetate adhesives, and permitted adhesive type for medallion refit (Inspection Method, Note).","Reference to external document Piper SL 527D for exact wheel identification and final replacement procedure (Applicability; Compliance).","Compliance timing: initial deadline (within 25 hours after 30 Nov 1978) and recurring interval (every 100 hours) create scheduling and tracking obligations (Compliance).","Immediate operational effect: any crack found requires replacement before further flight, creating potential grounding and replacement cost obligations (Requirement).","Limited scope but precise applicability: applies only to PA-32 models with the specific plastic control wheels, requiring operators to verify parts against the service letter (Applicability)."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires owners/operators of Piper PA-32 aeroplanes fitted with plastic control wheels (as shown in Piper SL 527D) to inspect control‑wheel hubs for cracks, remove the medallion if present, and replace any cracked wheel before further flight. Inspection steps specify cleaning with detergent and water, use of a bright light and at least 3× magnification, and prohibition of solvents and acetate adhesives.\n\nInitial inspection is required within 25 hours after 30 November 1978 and thereafter every 100 hours until the wheel is replaced per Piper SL 527D. Owners/operators bear inspection and replacement costs; maintenance personnel perform inspections."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-17-amdt-4-control-wheel-inspection","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-17-amdt-4-control-wheel-inspection/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-17-amdt-4-control-wheel-inspection/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-17-amdt-4-control-wheel-inspection/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-17-amdt-4-control-wheel-inspection/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-17-amdt-4-control-wheel-inspection/documents"}}