{"id":"F2006B05865","name":"AD/PA-32/68 - Fuel Tank Vent and Vent Hose - Modification and Replacement","slug":"ad-pa-32-68-fuel-tank-vent-and-vent-hose-modification-and-replacement","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":135893,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05865-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-32/68 - Fuel Tank Vent and Vent Hose - Modification and Replacement","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-32/68 Fuel Tank Vent and Vent Hose - Modification\n\nand Replacement\n\n\n9/80\n\n \n\nApplicability: Model PA-32-260 with S/Nos. 32-7800001 to 32-7800008; Model PA-32-300 with S/Nos. 32-7740109 to 32-7940290; Model PA-32R-300 with S/Nos. 32R-7780215 to 32R-7880068; Model PA-32RT-300 with S/Nos. 32R-7885001 to 32R-7985105; Model PA-32RT-300T with S/Nos. 32R-7787001, 32R-7887002 to 32R-7987126.\n\n \n\nDocument: Piper SB No. 646A.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 May 1980.\n\n \n\nBackground:  The fuel vent hose material fitted to these aircraft has proved unsuitable in service and may result in leakage of fuel and accumulation of fumes in the wing areas.\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":"No. The directive applies only to the specified PA-32 models and serial-number ranges and mandates the actions in Piper SB No. 646A. The instrument does not indicate any expansion or narrowing of applicability beyond the listed aircraft or deviation from the referenced service bulletin (see 'Applicability' and 'Document')."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability by model and multiple serial-number ranges increases administrative tracking for owners/operators (see 'Applicability').","Mandatory reliance on an external service document (Piper SB No. 646A) creates dependency on that SB's instructions and availability (see 'Document').","Firm compliance deadline — within 100 hours TIS after a specified date — requires operational scheduling and logging (see 'Compliance').","Work concerns fuel-tank venting components, a safety-critical fuel-system task that typically requires qualified maintenance and inspection (see 'Background').","Directive text is short and prescriptive, leaving limited regulatory discretion but requiring technical implementation details from the SB."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires modification or replacement of fuel-tank vents and vent hoses on specified Piper PA-32 series aeroplanes, following Piper Service Bulletin No. 646A. Owners/operators of the listed serial-numbered aircraft must carry out the work within 100 hours time-in-service after 31 May 1980. The directive responds to vent-hose material found unsuitable in service, which may cause fuel leakage and accumulation of fumes in wing areas."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, single-issue airworthiness directive focused specifically on fuel vent hose replacement for a defined aircraft population. It has not expanded beyond its original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 200 words)","Only 4 defined elements: applicability (specific aircraft models/serial numbers), reference document (Piper SB 646A), compliance deadline, and background","No cross-references to other legislation or regulations beyond the parent Civil Aviation Regulations 1998","Single, unambiguous compliance requirement with clear deadline","No conditional logic, exceptions, or nested provisions","Straightforward cause-and-effect: defective part → mandatory replacement → specific timeframe"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this is:** This is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Think of it as a \"recall notice\" for aircraft, but legally binding.\n\n**What it does:** It requires owners and operators of specific Piper PA-32 series aircraft (Cherokee Six models) to modify or replace the fuel tank vent hoses. The original hoses were made from a material that breaks down in service, causing fuel leaks and dangerous fume buildup in the wing areas.\n\n**Who it affects:** Owners and operators of specific Piper aircraft with serial numbers in the listed ranges, including:\n- PA-32-260 (certain serial numbers)\n- PA-32-300 (certain serial numbers)  \n- PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300, and PA-32RT-300T (certain serial numbers)\n\n**What must be done:** The modification must be carried out following Piper Service Bulletin No. 646A, and completed within 100 hours of flight time after 31 May 1980.\n\n**Why it matters:** Fuel leaks in wing areas create fire and explosion risks. This directive prevents accidents by forcing replacement of defective components before they fail."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-68-fuel-tank-vent-and-vent-hose-modification-and-replacement","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-68-fuel-tank-vent-and-vent-hose-modification-and-replacement/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-68-fuel-tank-vent-and-vent-hose-modification-and-replacement/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-68-fuel-tank-vent-and-vent-hose-modification-and-replacement/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-68-fuel-tank-vent-and-vent-hose-modification-and-replacement/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-68-fuel-tank-vent-and-vent-hose-modification-and-replacement/documents"}}