{"id":"F2006B05873","name":"AD/PA-32/78 - Engine Mount and NLG Attachment","slug":"ad-pa-32-78-engine-mount-and-nlg-attachment","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":135919,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05873-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-32/78 - Engine Mount and NLG Attachment","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-32/78 Engine Mount and NLG Attachment 7/93\n\n| Applicability: | Model        | Serial Numbers                                              |\n| -------------- | ------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------- |\n|                | PA-32R-300   | 32R-7680001 through 32R-7880068                             |\n|                | PA-32RT-300  | 32R-7885001 through 32R-7985105                             |\n|                | PA-32RT-300T | 32R-7887001 through 32R-7987126                             |\n|                | PA-32R-301   | 32R-8013001 through 32R-8613005 and 3213001 through 3213037 |\n|                | PA-32R-301T  | 32R-8029001 through 32R-8629006 and 3229001 through 3229003 |\n\nRequirement: (a) Inspect the engine mount as specified in and in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS: PART I section of Piper Service Bulletin 955. Repair any cracks in accordance with Piper SB 955 prior to further flight.\n\n    (b) Modify the airframe structure and strengthen the landing gear and engine mount attach areas in accordance with the instructions contained in either the Engine Mount Drag Link Installation Kit, Piper Part No. 766-252 (for turbocharged models); or Engine Mount Drag Link Installation Kit Part No. 766-253 (for normally aspirated models).\n\n    (c) Inspect the nose gear actuator attachment bracket for correct rivet dimensions in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS: PART III section of Piper SB 955. If any rivets are found that are not of the dimensions referenced in Piper SB 955, prior to further flight, reinforce the nose gear actuator attachment bracket in accordance with the referenced service information.\n\n    (d) If the parts that are required to accomplish the modification specified in paragraph (b) above have been ordered, but are not available from the manufacturer, reinspect the engine mount as required by paragraph (a) above at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service until parts become available.\n\nNote: FAA AD 93-05-10 Amdt 39-8514 refers.\n\nCompliance: Unless already accomplished, within 100 hours time in service after 24 June 1993.\n\nBackground: The FAA has received several reports of cracks developing in the engine mount cluster welds near the upper nose gear drag brace bushings on the affected aircraft. The actions specified in this Directive are intended to prevent the possible inability to retract or extend the nose landing gear.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive confines action to the listed PA‑32 models/serial numbers and prescribes inspections, repairs, and specified reinforcement kits to address reported engine‑mount weld cracks and nose‑gear attachment issues. It implements corrective measures consistent with the referenced FAA AD and does not expand applicability or introduce unrelated requirements beyond the faults described."},"complexity_factors":["Applicability spans multiple PA‑32 variants and several distinct serial‑number ranges, requiring operators to determine applicability precisely (Applicability table).","Inspections target weld cracks in engine‑mount clusters and rivet dimensions in the nose‑gear actuator bracket, which require skilled inspection/maintenance personnel and may need non‑routine repair work (Requirement (a), (c)).","Two different reinforcement kits are specified depending on engine type (turbocharged vs normally aspirated), creating parts selection complexity (Requirement (b)).","If cracks are found, repairs must be completed prior to further flight, imposing immediate operational and cost impacts on aircraft owners/operators (Requirement (a)).","Parts availability is explicitly contemplated: if kits are ordered but unavailable, operators must reinspect every 100 hours until modification can be done, increasing administrative and recurring inspection burden (Requirement (d)).","A relatively short compliance window (within 100 hours TIS) concentrates scheduling pressure on operators and maintenance providers (Compliance).","The AD cross‑references FAA AD 93‑05‑10, so implementation relies on alignment with referenced service information and potential supplier/FAA materials (Note)."],"plain_english_summary":"This airworthiness directive requires owners/operators of specified `Piper PA-32` series aeroplanes to inspect engine mounts and nose‑gear actuator brackets, repair any cracks before further flight, and install a strengthening/drag‑link kit (separate part numbers for turbocharged and normally aspirated models). \n\nThe stated purpose is to prevent inability to extend or retract the nose landing gear. Compliance is required within 100 hours time‑in‑service, with interim 100‑hour reinspections allowed if parts have been ordered but are unavailable."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Airworthiness Directive maintains its original narrow scope — addressing specific structural defects in specific Piper aircraft models. The requirements remain tightly focused on the engine mount and nose landing gear attachment issues identified in the background."},"complexity_factors":["Specific serial number ranges requiring careful cross-referencing by aircraft owners","Multiple alternative compliance paths (turbocharged vs normally aspirated models use different part numbers)","Conditional logic for parts availability triggering alternative inspection intervals","Reference to external technical documents (Piper Service Bulletin 955) for detailed instructions","Cross-reference to corresponding FAA Airworthiness Directive (93-05-10)"],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive mandates inspections, repairs, and structural modifications to engine mounts and nose‑gear actuator brackets on specified Piper PA‑32 (Cherokee Six) serial numbers, requiring correct rivets and specified Piper installation kits. \n\nIt affects owners/operators of those aircraft because weld cracks near the nose gear have caused loss of nose‑gear function; work must be done within 100 flight hours after 24 June 1993, with temporary 100‑hour inspections allowed if parts are on order."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-78-engine-mount-and-nlg-attachment","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-78-engine-mount-and-nlg-attachment/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-78-engine-mount-and-nlg-attachment/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-78-engine-mount-and-nlg-attachment/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-78-engine-mount-and-nlg-attachment/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-32-78-engine-mount-and-nlg-attachment/documents"}}