{"id":"F2006B05889","name":"AD/PA-34/18 - Quick Disconnect Seat Retention Mechanism - Inspection","slug":"ad-pa-34-18-quick-disconnect-seat-retention-mechanism-inspection","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":135937,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05889-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-34/18 - 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-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/PA-34/18 Quick Disconnect Seat Retention Mechanism - Inspection\n\nApplicability: Model PA-34-200 with S/Nos. 34-7250001 to 34-7450220. Model PA-34-200T with S/Nos. 34-7570001 to 34-7570054.\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\n12/75\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, time-bound safety directive focused on a specific mechanical defect in specific aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating a one-time inspection."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 150 words)","Only 2 defined applicability criteria (aircraft model and serial number ranges)","Single compliance requirement with clear deadline","No cross-references to other legislation or regulations beyond the parent Civil Aviation Regulations 1998","No conditional logic, exceptions, or nested provisions","References only one external technical document (Piper Service Letter No. 763)"],"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 PA-34 Seneca aircraft to inspect a safety-critical part: the **quick disconnect seat retention mechanism** (the system that keeps seats locked in place during flight).\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of specific Piper PA-34-200 and PA-34-200T aircraft with serial numbers in the listed ranges\n\n**What they must do:**\n- Inspect the seat retention mechanism following Piper Service Letter No. 763\n- Complete this inspection within **100 hours of flight time** after 30 January 1976\n\n**Why it matters:**\nSeat retention mechanisms prevent seats from shifting or detaching during turbulence or emergencies. A faulty mechanism could cause seats to move unexpectedly, endangering pilots and passengers. This directive ensures a known defect is identified and fixed before it causes an accident."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The text specifies applicability by model and serial number, the reference service document, and a compliance timeframe. There is no indication in the text that the directive amends or narrows a prior instrument or that the scope has been changed from an earlier intent; it presents a single, specific inspection requirement for the listed aircraft. (Applicability; Document; Compliance.)"},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability limited to two model variants and explicit serial-number ranges (reduces complexity). (Applicability.)","Single required action (inspection) with a single compliance window (straightforward duty). (Compliance.)","Reliance on an external manufacturer document (Piper SL No. 763) for procedural detail introduces moderate dependency and potential access/interpretation complexity. (Document: Piper SL No. 763.)","Historic fixed compliance date (100 hours after 30 January 1976) may complicate retrospective compliance determination for aircraft with incomplete records. (Compliance.)","Directive text does not include corrective-action specifics, record-keeping requirements, or follow-up inspection intervals, leaving those details to the referenced service letter (creates some operational uncertainty). (Document: Piper SL No. 763.)"],"plain_english_summary":"This directive requires a one‑off inspection of the quick‑disconnect seat‑retention mechanism on specified Piper PA‑34 (Seneca) aircraft, to be performed per Piper Service Letter No. 763 and completed within 100 hours TIS after 30 January 1976.\n\nOwners/operators must obtain the service letter and bear inspection and any repair costs; CASA enforces compliance. The action targets a safety‑critical seating component and creates short‑term maintenance demand for the listed aircraft."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-18-quick-disconnect-seat-retention-mechanism-inspection","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-18-quick-disconnect-seat-retention-mechanism-inspection/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-18-quick-disconnect-seat-retention-mechanism-inspection/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-18-quick-disconnect-seat-retention-mechanism-inspection/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-18-quick-disconnect-seat-retention-mechanism-inspection/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-18-quick-disconnect-seat-retention-mechanism-inspection/documents"}}