{"id":"F2006B05908","name":"AD/PA-34/38 - Exhaust System Heat Exchanger - Inspection","slug":"ad-pa-34-38-exhaust-system-heat-exchanger-inspection","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":135976,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05908-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-34/38 - Exhaust System Heat Exchanger - 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-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/PA-34/38 Exhaust System Heat Exchanger \\- Inspection 9/83\n\nApplicability: All model PA-34-200 with S/Nos. 34-7350342 to 34-7450220. All model PA-34-200 with S/Nos. 34-7250001 to 34-7350341 which have installed exhaust system replacement Kit 760 764V in accordance with Piper SL 673.\n\nDocument: Piper SB No. 762.\n\nNote: FAA AD 83-14-05 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. On or before 1000 hours total time in service of exhaust tailpipes and repeated thereafter at intervals of 100 hours time in service.\n\n    2. Within 100 hours time in service of exhaust tailpipes after 30th September 1983 where in-service hours cannot be established.\n\n    3. The inspection criteria detailed in item 1 of the compliance shall also apply to replacement tailpipes.\n\nBackground: The manufacturer has received reports of the heat exchanger inlet port, cone shaped deflector, breaking away from the baffle tube and lodging against the exhaust port of the tailpipe. If this occurs, significant power loss will result, as well as the possibility of engine stoppage.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument narrows regulatory action to affected PA-34-200 serial numbers and to exhaust tailpipe assemblies (including replacements) to address reported failures. It does not broaden regulatory scope beyond those aircraft/parts or introduce new regulatory powers; it prescribes inspection timing and references the manufacturer service bulletin and FAA AD for implementation."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability: specific model and serial number ranges for PA-34-200 (clear scope).","Simple, fixed compliance intervals: initial by 1,000 hours TIS and repetitive every 100 hours (or within 100 hours after 30/09/1983 if hours unknown).","Cross-references to manufacturer documents and FAA AD (Piper SB No. 762; FAA AD 83-14-05) obliges use of external guidance for inspection technique.","Requirement explicitly includes replacement tailpipes (no ambiguity about retrofits or parts changes).","Operational burden concentrated on owners/operators who must schedule inspections and any corrective work.","Limited regulatory discretion: directive prescribes timing and scope rather than leaving methods open."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires owners/operators of specified Piper PA-34-200 aeroplanes to inspect the exhaust heat exchanger tailpipes for a loose cone-shaped deflector. Inspections must occur by 1,000 hours total time in service and then every 100 hours (or within 100 hours after 30 Sept 1983 if hours are unknown), and apply to replacement tailpipes. The directive responds to manufacturer reports that the deflector can break away and block the exhaust, causing power loss or engine stoppage. Operators bear inspection costs and downtime; the regulator mandates and enforces the checks."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete airworthiness directive with a narrow, well-defined scope targeting a specific mechanical defect in specific aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of preventing heat exchanger failures."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical component targeted (exhaust system heat exchanger)","Limited applicability based on aircraft model and serial number ranges","Straightforward compliance timeline (100-hour intervals)","Only one condition for expanded applicability (installation of specific kit)","No nested exceptions or conditional logic","Short document with minimal cross-referencing (only references one Piper Service Bulletin and one FAA AD)","Clear, single-purpose safety directive"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA safety directive requires owners/operators of specified Piper PA‑34‑200 Senecas (serials 34‑7350342 to 34‑7450220, and earlier serials fitted with Kit 760 764V) to inspect exhaust heat‑exchanger tailpipes because a cone‑shaped deflector may break off and obstruct the exhaust, risking major power loss or engine stoppage. Inspections must occur before 1,000 hours on the tailpipes and then every 100 hours; if installation time is unknown, inspect within 100 hours after 30 September 1983."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-38-exhaust-system-heat-exchanger-inspection","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-38-exhaust-system-heat-exchanger-inspection/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-38-exhaust-system-heat-exchanger-inspection/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-38-exhaust-system-heat-exchanger-inspection/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-38-exhaust-system-heat-exchanger-inspection/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-38-exhaust-system-heat-exchanger-inspection/documents"}}