{"id":"F2009L02787","name":"AD/PA-32/27 Amdt 3 - Wing Rear Spar Inspection","slug":"ad-pa-32-27-amdt-3-wing-rear-spar-inspection","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":79977,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2009L02787-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeropl","sectionType":"division","heading":"Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes","content":"### Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/PA-32/27 Amdt 3 | Wing Rear Spar Inspection | 8/2009 |\n| ------------------ | ------------------------- | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | All models.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |\n| -------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | Visually inspect the wing rear spar to fuselage attachment area for evidence of corrosion between the rear spar P/Ns 62054-() and 35174-(), and spar plateP/Ns 62056-() and 66762-().Note: It is imperative to inspect the front face of the rear spar through the internal area of the wing after removal of the underwing fillet or fuselage floor panels in the area of the wing rear attachments. Corrosion of the aluminium alloy rear spar proceeds from the inboard end and is detected by deterioration of rivet tails, pitting, bulging and cracking of the rear spar.Accomplishment of Piper Service Bulletin No. 977 eliminates the repetitive inspection requirement of this directive. |\n| Compliance:    | For aircraft not inspected in accordance with the previous issue of this Directive, inspect within 100 hours time in service after 4 January 1996, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3 calendar years. For all other aircraft, inspect at intervals not exceeding 3 calendar years.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |\n|                | This Amendment becomes effective on 30 July 2009.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |\n| Background:    | Local defect experience indicates that complete disintegration of the rear spar material can occur in the area of the rear spar and steel plate faying surfaces, without any external evidence of deterioration.Amendment 2 was issued to revise component P/N applicability to include additional aircraft.Amendment 3 introduces Piper SB No.977 which when accomplished is terminating action for the repetitive inspections.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nDavid Villiers  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n17 June 2009","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/PA-32/27 Amdt 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/PA-32/27 Amdt 3","content":"## AD/PA-32/27 Amdt 3","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Wing Rear Spar Inspection","sectionType":"part","heading":"Wing Rear Spar Inspection","content":"## Wing Rear Spar Inspection","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"8/2009","sectionType":"part","heading":"8/2009","content":"## 8/2009","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Amendment 3 remains tightly focused on its original purpose: preventing wing rear spar corrosion failures in Piper PA-32 aircraft. The amendment introduces a terminating action (Piper SB 977) but does not expand applicability to new aircraft types, add new inspection requirements, or broaden the safety issue beyond the original corrosion concern."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific technical requirement (visual inspection of one aircraft component)","Minimal conditional logic (only two compliance paths: never inspected vs. previously inspected)","No defined terms section — uses standard aviation terminology (P/N for part number, SB for Service Bulletin)","Short document (approximately 250 words of substantive content)","Single cross-reference to manufacturer service bulletin","Clear, unambiguous compliance dates and intervals"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires owners/operators of Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six aircraft to inspect the wing rear spar-to-fuselage attachment for hidden corrosion (by removing underwing or floor panels) because internal corrosion can silently cause catastrophic wing attachment failure. Inspections are mandated every three years (or within 100 flight hours if not previously done); complying with Piper Service Bulletin No. 977 provides a permanent alternative to repetitive inspections."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Yes. Amendment 2 expanded the component part-number applicability to include additional aircraft. Amendment 3 adds Piper Service Bulletin No.977 as a terminating action for the repetitive inspections, changing compliance options available to operators and narrowing ongoing inspection obligations once SB No.977 is accomplished."},"complexity_factors":["Access and technique: inspection requires internal access to the wing (removal of underwing fillet or fuselage floor panels) which increases labour and inspection difficulty.","Technical detection criteria: corrosion is detected by deterioration of rivet tails, pitting, bulging and cracking of aluminium alloy rear spar.","Parts specificity: directive identifies specific rear spar and spar plate part numbers (P/Ns 62054-(), 35174-(), 62056-(), 66762-()), and earlier amendment revised P/N applicability.","Compliance timing: two-tier timing — initial 100 hours TIS for aircraft not previously inspected (after 4 January 1996) and a recurring interval not exceeding 3 calendar years.","Terminating action: accomplishing Piper Service Bulletin No.977 removes the repetitive inspection requirement, creating an alternative compliance pathway.","Cost and repairs: potential for significant repair or replacement costs if corrosion is found; owners/operators bear these costs.","Recordkeeping and verification: operators must demonstrate compliance to the regulator (CASA delegate) and track when SB No.977 has been accomplished.","Implementation risk: hidden corrosion can exist ‘without external evidence’, increasing inspection risk and possible need for invasive access or structural work."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires owners/operators of Piper PA-32 aircraft to visually inspect the wing rear-spar‑to‑fuselage attachment area for corrosion, including internal inspection after removal of underwing fillets or fuselage floor panels. Inspections are required at intervals not exceeding three calendar years, with an initial 100‑hour requirement for aircraft not previously inspected; completing Piper Service Bulletin No.977 ends the repetitive inspection obligation. Owners/operators pay for inspections and any repairs; the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (delegate) issues the directive and operators must change maintenance routines accordingly."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-27-amdt-3-wing-rear-spar-inspection","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-27-amdt-3-wing-rear-spar-inspection/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-27-amdt-3-wing-rear-spar-inspection/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-27-amdt-3-wing-rear-spar-inspection/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-27-amdt-3-wing-rear-spar-inspection/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-27-amdt-3-wing-rear-spar-inspection/documents"}}