{"id":"F2006B05858","name":"AD/PA-32/61 - Stabilator Skin - Inspection","slug":"ad-pa-32-61-stabilator-skin-inspection","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"repealed","isInForce":false,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":135882,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05858-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"Repealed","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-32/61 - Stabilator Skin - 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-32/61 Stabilator Skin \\- Inspection 6/79\n\nApplicability: All models PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32R-300 and PA-32RT-300 and PA-32RT- 300T.\n\nRequirement: 1. Visually inspect the upper and lower surfaces of the stabilator for skin cracking at the spanwise lap joint at the front spar location. The accompanying sketch shows the area to be inspected. Particular attention should be given to the lower surface.\n\n2. It is requested that the results of the inspection, even if no damage is discovered, be reported to an Airworthiness Office of the Department so that a thorough assessment of any general problem can be made. It is further requested that the presence or otherwise of a joggle or kink in th skin, as identified in the sketch also be reported to the Department. A verbal report will suffice if no cracking is present.\n\nCompliance: Within 25 hours time in service after 8 June 1979.\n\nBackground: Investigations into a recent accident involving an inflight structural break-up have disclosed the presence of an extensive fatigue crack in the lower surface of one side of the stabilator. As the investigation is not yet completed, this inspection is of a precautionary nature intended to assess the extent of any problem.\n\n![](image.002.png)  \n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"model":"kimi-k2.5","source":"moonshot-batch","completionTokens":1524},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This directive remains a targeted, precautionary safety measure issued in response to a specific accident. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of assessing the extent of stabilator fatigue cracking in the specified aircraft fleet."},"complexity_factors":["Single, discrete inspection task with no conditional branches or exceptions","Limited applicability to 5 specific aircraft models only","Simple compliance trigger (25 hours time-in-service after fixed date)","No defined terms or interpretive provisions","Straightforward reporting obligation with alternative procedure (verbal report permitted if no defects)"],"plain_english_summary":"Owners/operators of Piper PA-32 series Cherokees (PA-32-260/300, PA-32R/RT-300, PA-32RT-300T) must visually inspect the stabilator—especially underside skin at front-spar panel joints—for cracks and report findings to the Airworthiness Office (a phone call suffices if none). Inspections are required within 25 flight hours after 8 June 1979. The action follows a fatal in-flight breakup from stabilator fatigue cracking."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-61-stabilator-skin-inspection","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-61-stabilator-skin-inspection/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-61-stabilator-skin-inspection/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-61-stabilator-skin-inspection/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-61-stabilator-skin-inspection/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-61-stabilator-skin-inspection/documents"}}