{"id":"F2006B05833","name":"AD/PA-32/38 - Quick Disconnect Seat Retention Mechanism - Inspection","slug":"ad-pa-32-38-quick-disconnect-seat-retention-mechanism-inspection","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":135828,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05833-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-32/38 - Quick Disconnect Seat Retention Mechanism - Inspection","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-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/PA-32/38 Quick Disconnect Seat Retention Mechanism - Inspection\n\n\n1/76\n\n \n\nApplicability: Model PA32-260 with S/Nos. 32-01 to 32-7500002. Model PA-32-300 with S/Nos.\n\n32-40001 to 32-7540028.\n\n \n\nDocument: Piper SL No. 763.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 January 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 defined by the listed aircraft models and serial number ranges and by the inspection requirement tied to Piper SL No. 763 with a clear compliance interval. Based on the text provided, the scope remains the specific applicability and inspection obligation as stated; there is no indication in the excerpt that the scope has been expanded or narrowed from that original statement."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow technical scope: single component (quick-disconnect seat retention mechanism) and specific aircraft models/serial number ranges (Applicability).","External procedural dependency: inspection procedure is delegated to an external manufacturer document (Piper SL No. 763), requiring operators to obtain and follow that document (Document).","Fixed compliance window tied to aircraft time-in-service, requiring scheduling and record-keeping within a defined flight-hours period (Compliance).","Regulatory formality: the directive sits within CASA's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, creating a legally enforceable maintenance obligation rather than a voluntary guidance (header)."],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires owners/operators of specified Piper PA‑32‑260 and PA‑32‑300 aeroplanes (listed serial ranges) to inspect the quick‑disconnect seat retention mechanism per Piper Service Letter No. 763, within 100 hours TIS after 30 January 1976. It affects affected aircraft, their maintenance organisations and certifying mechanics; operators bear inspection and repair costs and may face downtime to comply."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, time-bound safety directive issued in 1976 (as indicated by '1/76' and the 1976 compliance date). It addresses a specific technical issue in specific aircraft and does not represent scope creep from any original legislative intent. Airworthiness Directives are inherently narrow, targeted instruments."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 150 words)","Only 4 defined elements: two aircraft models with specific serial number ranges, one referenced document, and one compliance deadline","No nested conditional logic or exceptions","Single straightforward compliance requirement with clear time limit","No cross-references to other legislation beyond the parent Civil Aviation Regulations 1998","Standard AD format with clearly separated Applicability, Document, and Compliance sections"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). It requires owners and operators of specific Piper Cherokee Six aircraft to inspect the **quick disconnect seat retention mechanism** (the parts that hold seats in place and allow quick removal) within 100 hours of flying time after 30 January 1976.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of Piper PA-32-260 aircraft with serial numbers 32-01 through 32-7500002\n- Owners and operators of Piper PA-32-300 aircraft with serial numbers 32-40001 through 32-7540028\n\n**What they must do:**\n- Follow the inspection procedures outlined in **Piper Service Letter No. 763** (a technical bulletin from the manufacturer)\n- Complete the inspection within 100 hours of flight time after the specified date\n\n**Why it matters:**\nSeat retention mechanisms are critical safety equipment. If they fail, seats could shift or detach during flight — particularly dangerous during turbulence or emergency situations. This directive addresses a known defect or wear pattern in these specific aircraft models to prevent accidents."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-38-quick-disconnect-seat-retention-mechanism-inspection","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-38-quick-disconnect-seat-retention-mechanism-inspection/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-38-quick-disconnect-seat-retention-mechanism-inspection/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-38-quick-disconnect-seat-retention-mechanism-inspection/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-38-quick-disconnect-seat-retention-mechanism-inspection/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-38-quick-disconnect-seat-retention-mechanism-inspection/documents"}}