{"id":"F2006B05919","name":"AD/PA-34/49 - Engine Air Filter","slug":"ad-pa-34-49-engine-air-filter","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":136003,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05919-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-34/49 - Engine Air Filter","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-34/49 Engine Air Filter 9/99\n\nApplicability: PA-34-200T Seneca II aircraft serial numbers 34-7570001 through 34-8170092, and\n\nPA-34-220T Seneca III aircraft serial numbers 34-8133001 through 34-8633031, 3433001 through 3433225 and\n\nPA-34-220T Seneca III (28V) aircraft serial numbers 3448001 through 3448035, and\n\nPA-34-220T Seneca IV aircraft serial numbers 3448038 through 3448079, 3447001 through 3447029, and\n\nPA-34-220T Seneca V aircraft serial numbers 3449002 through 3449078;\n\nfitted with a Facet engine air inlet filter part number (P/N) 638873 manufactured in the period January 1997 to September 1998.\n\nNote 1: Filters of concern can be identified by accessing the filter and locating the brand name and part number. Filters of concern are branded “FACET 638873” in 0.250”(1/4”) high white characters with no date code.\n\nRequirement: To prevent pieces of a damaged air filter from being ingested in the engine, inspect applicable air filters in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin Number (No.) 1022 and/or Purolator Service Bulletin No. 090298.01.\n\nNote 2: Civil Aviation Regulation (CAR) 42ZC (4) (d) permits the holder of a pilot licence, other than a student pilot, that is valid for the aircraft, to change the air filter. Therefore, should applicable air filters be removed from service prior to the effective date of this directive, the directive will no longer be applicable.\n\nNote 3: FAA Airworthiness Directive 99-05-09 refers.\n\nCompliance: Installed filters: At next inspection of the engine air inlet filter element or within 25 hours time in service from the effective date of this directive, whichever occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours time in service.\n\nSpare filters: Prior to installation in a engine.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 9 September 1999.\n\nBackground: This directive has been issued to address reports of cracking and break up of certain air filter elements. The defects resulted from evidence of manufacturing errors in filters produced during the period January 1997 though September 1998. The directive requires applicable filters to be inspected for evidence of deterioration.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope aligns with the directive's stated aim: target filters of a specific part number and manufacture date range on identified PA‑34 serial numbers because of reported manufacturing defects (Applicability; Background). It does not broaden beyond those filters or aircraft. The AD allows owners/operators (or a licensed pilot) to remove affected filters before the effective date, which can narrow applicability for individual aircraft but does not alter the directive's original targeted scope (Note 2)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability defined by multiple aircraft serial number ranges and a single filter part number plus manufacture date window (Applicability).","Identification requires physical inspection of the filter marking (“FACET 638873” in 1/4\" white characters) rather than paperwork (Note 1).","Mandatory inspection interval is frequent (initial at next inspection or within 25 hours, then every 25 hours) creating recurring operational burden (Compliance).","Different compliance rule for spare filters (must be inspected prior to installation) adds inventory control steps (Compliance).","Directive mandates use of two specific service bulletins for the inspection procedure (Piper SB No.1022 and Purolator SB No.090298.01) (Requirement).","Permitted pre‑effective removal of filters by a licensed pilot can nullify the AD for that aircraft, introducing a timing/discretion element (Note 2 and Requirement).","References an FAA Airworthiness Directive as background authority (Note 3), which may create cross‑jurisdictional conformity considerations.","Immediate effective date increases urgency of compliance and potential short‑term operational disruption (Effective date).","Costs borne by aircraft owners/operators for inspections and any replacements; administrative burden of tracking serial numbers, parts and inspection intervals (Requirement/Compliance)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires owners/operators of specified Piper PA‑34 Seneca aircraft fitted with Facet engine air inlet filter P/N 638873 (manufactured Jan 1997–Sep 1998) to inspect those filters per Piper Service Bulletin No.1022 or Purolator Service Bulletin No.090298.01. Inspections must occur at the next filter inspection or within 25 hours time‑in‑service and then every 25 hours; spare filters must be checked before installation. The measure responds to reported manufacturing defects that can cause filter break‑up and engine ingestion."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete airworthiness directive addressing a specific manufacturing defect in a specific aircraft component. It has not expanded beyond its original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical issue addressed (air filter cracking)","Clear applicability criteria using serial number ranges and date ranges","Straightforward compliance timeline (25 hours time in service)","Only 2 cross-references (to service bulletins and one FAA directive)","No nested exceptions or conditional logic beyond basic applicability tests","Short document (approximately 300 words)"],"plain_english_summary":"This safety order targets certain Piper PA‑34 Seneca II–V aircraft fitted with Facet engine air filter P/N 638873 made in 1997–98, requiring inspection for cracks or damage that could shed debris into engines. Owners, operators, maintenance organisations—and licensed pilots, who may remove/replace the filter—must inspect installed filters at the next inspection or within 25 flight hours and every 25 hours thereafter; spares must be checked before installation."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-49-engine-air-filter","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-49-engine-air-filter/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-49-engine-air-filter/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-49-engine-air-filter/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-49-engine-air-filter/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-34-49-engine-air-filter/documents"}}