{"id":"F2006B05914","name":"AD/PA-34/44 Amdt 1 - Main Landing Gear - Trunnion Housing","slug":"ad-pa-34-44-amdt-1-main-landing-gear-trunnion-housing","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":135987,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05914-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-34/44 Amdt 1 - Main Landing Gear - Trunnion Housing","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-34/44\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \nMain Landing Gear \\- Trunnion Housing 1/97\n\n| Applicability: | Models     | Serial Numbers                                                                                                                                                                       |\n| -------------- | ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |\n|                | PA-34-200  | 34-7250001 through 34-7450220                                                                                                                                                        |\n|                | PA-34-200T | 34-7570001 through 34-8170092                                                                                                                                                        |\n|                | PA-34-220T | 34-8133001 through 34-8233088 that are not equipped with trunnion housing assemblies, Piper part number 39486-802 (left) and 39486-803 (right) with embossed forging number 67924-2. |\n\nRequirement: 1. Clean and strip paint from the inspection area as defined in Sketch A and Sketch B of Piper SB 787B. Inspect for cracks using fluorescent dye penetrant per CAO\n\n108.10. Perform a detailed visual inspection using a 10X glass for grinding or machining marks. Remove any marks detected with 180 grit aluminium oxide paper. Polish area with 600 grit or finer aluminium oxide paper. Treat with Alodine 1200 (or equivalent), prime with a chromate primer and finish paint to match existing scheme.\n\n    2. Clean and strip paint from the inspection area as defined in Sketch A and Sketch B of Piper SB 787B. Inspect for cracks using fluorescent dye penetrant per CAO\n\n108.10. Prime with a chromate primer and finish paint to match existing scheme.\n\n    3. Replace main landing gear trunnion with new replacement part number components as defined in Piper SB 787B.\n\nNote: FAA AD 94-13-11 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. Action in accordance with Requirement 1 before 500 hours time in service or within 50 hours time in service from 15 September 1994 whichever is the later.\n\n    2. Action in accordance with Requirement 2 at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service.\n\n    3. If the main landing gear trunnion hours cannot be determined the airframe hours may be substituted. Action in accordance with Requirement 3 before 2000 hours time in service, except that main landing gear trunnions that have exceeded 2000 hours time in service may remain in service until 2500 hours time in service provided:\n\n    Replacement parts have been ordered and are unavailable.\n\n    b. Repeat inspections are performed at 10 hour time in service intervals and no cracks are detected. In this instance the requirement to paint the trunnion between inspections may be deleted.\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n    c. Replacement is completed within 5 hours time in service of the parts becoming available.\n\nReplacement with new part number trunnion housings as listed in Piper SB 787B with embossed forging number 02599-2, cancels all requirements of this AD.\n\nThe compliance of the initial issue of this Directive remains unchanged. This Amendment is effective from 2 January 1997.\n\nBackground: Cracks have developed in the main landing gear trunnion housings on the aft side at the lower end of the fillet. Although Piper has made design changes to these components, cracks have still continued to occur.\n\nThis AD inspects existing components and replaces them with further improved components.\n\nAmendment 1 is issued to re-format the Applicability part of this Directive by aligning with the related FAA AD, which includes additional information, while removing reference to the aircraft model name.\n\nThe original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 15 September 1994.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Amendment 1 reformats the Applicability section to align with the related FAA AD and adds information while removing the aircraft model name reference. The Directive states the compliance requirements of the original issue remain unchanged."},"complexity_factors":["Applicability tied to precise serial‑number ranges across three PA‑34 model variants (Applicability section).","Three distinct mandatory actions (Requirement 1, 2, 3) with different technical steps and materials (dye penetrant, 10X visual inspection, 180/600 grit abrasives, Alodine 1200, chromate primer, finish paint).","Layered compliance timetable: initial action before 500 hours or within 50 hours from 15 Sept 1994 (whichever is later), recurring inspections every 100 hours, and replacement before 2000 hours (Compliance section).","Conditional allowances if hours cannot be determined (airframe hours substitution) and temporary extension to 2500 hours if parts are on order and 10‑hour inspections show no cracks (Compliance section).","Operational discretion and administrative burden: requirement to order parts, track parts availability, and perform frequent short‑interval inspections where parts unavailable (Compliance section).","Cancellation condition: installing replacement trunnion housings with specific embossed forging number cancels all AD requirements (Requirement 3 / Compliance).","Dependence on external documents: inspection areas and replacement part details defined by Piper Service Bulletin SB 787B and cross‑reference to FAA AD 94‑13‑11 (Requirements / Note).","Practical compliance complexity: mix of non‑destructive testing, minor metal removal/finishing, corrosion treatment and painting which may require workshop facilities or certified maintenance providers."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires owners/operators of specified Piper PA‑34 (Seneca) aeroplanes to inspect, treat (strip/prime/paint) and ultimately replace the main landing‑gear trunnion housings to detect and address cracks. Inspections use fluorescent dye‑penetrant and specified grinding/polishing steps; replacement with newly specified part numbers removes the AD requirements. Compliance schedules set initial and recurring inspection intervals and a deadline for replacement."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is Amendment 1 to an existing Airworthiness Directive. The amendment explicitly states it only reformats the applicability section to align with the FAA directive and removes model names, while keeping all compliance requirements from the original 1994 issue unchanged. The scope remains tightly focused on the original safety issue (trunnion housing cracks) without expansion."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple compliance pathways (Requirements 1, 2, and 3) with different timelines and conditions","Nested conditional logic in Requirement 3: 2000-hour deadline with exception to 2500 hours, which itself has three sub-conditions (parts ordered but unavailable, 10-hour interval inspections, 5-hour replacement window)","Cross-reference to external documents: Piper Service Bulletin 787B (referenced for sketches, part numbers, and procedures), CAO 108.10 (inspection standard), and FAA AD 94-13-11","Specific technical terminology requiring aviation maintenance knowledge (trunnion housing, fillet, fluorescent dye penetrant, Alodine 1200, time in service)","Serial number ranges and part number exclusions in applicability table require careful cross-checking against aircraft records"],"plain_english_summary":"This safety order requires owners/operators of certain Piper PA‑34 Seneca twins (circa 1972–1983) to inspect—and, if necessary, replace—main landing‑gear trunnion housings because recurring cracks were found at the wheel attachment area. It mandates regular dye‑penetrant inspections and ultimately replacement with an improved forging within specified flight‑hour limits. Compliance is mandatory; installing the upgraded trunnion ends the inspection obligations."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-44-amdt-1-main-landing-gear-trunnion-housing","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-44-amdt-1-main-landing-gear-trunnion-housing/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-44-amdt-1-main-landing-gear-trunnion-housing/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-44-amdt-1-main-landing-gear-trunnion-housing/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-44-amdt-1-main-landing-gear-trunnion-housing/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-44-amdt-1-main-landing-gear-trunnion-housing/documents"}}