{"id":"F2006B05868","name":"AD/PA-32/72 - Nose Landing Gear Downlock - Modification","slug":"ad-pa-32-72-nose-landing-gear-downlock-modification","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":135901,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05868-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-32/72 - Nose Landing Gear Downlock - Modification","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-32/72 Nose Landing Gear Downlock - Modification 1/82\n\nApplicability: PA-32R-300 Lance S/Nos. 32R-768001 to 32R-7880068. PA-32RT-300 Lance II S/N 32R-7885001 to 32R-7985105. PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance II S/N 32R-7787001,\n\n32R-7887002 to 32R-7987126. PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP S/Nos. 32R-8013001 to\n\n32R-8113112. PA-32R-301T Turbo Saratoga SP S/Nos. 32R-8029001 to 32R-\n\n8129104.\n\n \n\nDocument: Piper Service Letter No. 927 and Piper Kit P/N 764135V.\n\n \n\nNote: FAA AD 81-24-07 Amdt. 39-4255 refers.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 January 1982.\n\n \n\nBackground: There have been reports of failures of the nose landing gear down locks on certain Piper PA-32R models.\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 limits action to the listed PA-32R models and serial-number ranges and requires a single prescribed modification to address reported downlock failures; there is no text indicating an expansion or narrowing of scope beyond those stated applicability and remedial measures."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability defined by multiple, specific serial-number ranges (requires careful aircraft identification).","Mandates a specific technical modification (requires certified maintenance and parts: Service Letter No. 927 and Kit P/N 764135V).","Compliance timed in flight hours (100 hours TIS) rather than calendar date, creating scheduling and tracking needs.","Dependence on external documents and cross-reference to FAA AD (operators must obtain and follow those materials).","Safety-critical nature increases regulatory scrutiny and potential downtime during modification."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this does:** This Airworthiness Directive obliges owners/operators of specified Piper PA-32R series aeroplanes (listed by serial-number ranges) to install a nose-landing-gear downlock modification using Piper Service Letter No. 927 and Kit P/N 764135V to address reported downlock failures. Compliance is required within 100 hours time in service after 31 January 1982.\n\n**Who pays and who decides:** Aircraft owners/operators must arrange and pay for the modification; CASA enforces compliance. The directive cites an FAA AD but prescribes the specific kit and service instruction."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted airworthiness directive addressing a specific mechanical defect in specific aircraft models. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating a safety modification to prevent nose landing gear failures."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 200 words)","Only 4 defined elements: applicability (aircraft models/serial numbers), reference document, compliance deadline, and background","No cross-references to other legislation (only a note about related FAA directive)","Single, unambiguous compliance requirement with clear deadline","No conditional logic, exceptions, or nested provisions","Straightforward technical mandate with specific part numbers provided"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). It mandates a safety modification for specific Piper PA-32 aircraft models.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Requires owners/operators of certain Piper PA-32R and PA-32RT aircraft (Lance, Lance II, Turbo Lance II, Saratoga SP, and Turbo Saratoga SP models with specific serial numbers) to modify the nose landing gear downlock mechanism.\n- The modification must be done using Piper Service Letter No. 927 and Piper Kit Part Number 764135V.\n\n**Why it matters:**\n- There have been reports of **failures in the nose landing gear down locks** — the mechanism that keeps the front wheel locked in the down position for landing.\n- A failed downlock could cause the nose gear to collapse during landing, potentially causing serious damage to the aircraft and injury to occupants.\n\n**Who must comply:**\n- Owners and operators of the specific Piper aircraft models and serial numbers listed in the \"Applicability\" section.\n\n**When:**\n- The modification must be completed within **100 hours of flight time** after 31 January 1982.\n\n**Key point:** This is a mandatory safety fix — not optional. Aircraft cannot legally fly without this modification once the compliance deadline passes."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-72-nose-landing-gear-downlock-modification","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-72-nose-landing-gear-downlock-modification/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-72-nose-landing-gear-downlock-modification/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-72-nose-landing-gear-downlock-modification/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-72-nose-landing-gear-downlock-modification/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-72-nose-landing-gear-downlock-modification/documents"}}