{"id":"F2006B05968","name":"AD/PA-38/3 Amdt 1 - Vertical Fin/Rudder Leading Edge - Inspection and Modification","slug":"ad-pa-38-3-amdt-1-vertical-fin-rudder-leading-edge-inspection-and-modification","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":136150,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05968-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-38/3 Amdt 1 - Vertical Fin/Rudder Leading Edge - Inspection and Modification","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-38 (Tomahawk) Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/PA-38/3\n\nAmdt 1\n\n\nVertical Fin/Rudder Leading Edge - Inspection and Modification\n\n\n1/79\n\n \n\nApplicability: All models PA-38-112 with S/Nos. 38-78A0001 to 38-78A0215 and 38-78A0217 to 38-78A0226.\n\n \n\nDocument: 1. Piper SB No. 607A, Parts I and II; or\n\n \n\n2. FAA AD 78-22-01, Amdt. 39-3323.\n\n \n\nCompliance: 1. Inspect at intervals not exceeding 25 hours time in service; and\n\n \n\n2. Modify within 50 hours time in service after 20 November 1978.\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","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument is presented as Amendment 1 to AD/PA-38/3 (labelled 'Amdt 1'), indicating it modifies a prior directive. The provided text does not include the pre-amendment wording, so the precise nature of the change from the original AD cannot be determined from this excerpt. The current text establishes applicability (specific serial numbers), references the required technical documents (Piper SB No. 607A or FAA AD 78-22-01), and sets specific inspection and modification time limits (inspect ≤25 hours TIS; modify within 50 hours TIS after 20 November 1978)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability by serial number (simple to determine affected aircraft) (Applicability)","Time-based compliance intervals that are straightforward (inspect ≤25 hours TIS; modify within 50 hours TIS after 20 Nov 1978) (Compliance)","Reference to external technical documents (Piper SB No. 607A; FAA AD 78-22-01) adds a retrieval step and reliance on external procedural detail (Document)","No alternative means of compliance or exemptions stated in the provided text (increases compliance rigidity) (Document; Compliance)","Amendment status indicated (Amdt 1) means this replaces or modifies a prior AD, which may require cross-checking legacy text to track changes (header)"],"plain_english_summary":"This airworthiness directive requires owners/operators of specified Piper PA-38-112 (Tomahawk) serial numbers to inspect and modify the vertical fin and rudder leading edge, following Piper Service Bulletin No. 607A (Parts I & II) or FAA AD 78-22-01. Inspections must occur at least every 25 hours TIS, with the modification completed within 50 hours TIS after 20 November 1978. Owners/operators bear the cost and scheduling burden."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard Airworthiness Directive with a narrow, specific scope addressing a known safety issue in a particular aircraft model and serial number range. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of ensuring airworthiness of the vertical fin/rudder assembly."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 300 words)","Only 3 defined elements: applicability range, compliance timeframe, and reference documents","No cross-references to other legislation beyond the two technical documents","Simple conditional structure: if you own this specific aircraft, you must do these two things","No nested exceptions or complex logical operators","Single purpose directive with clear mechanical/technical compliance requirements"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) that mandates safety actions for specific Piper PA-38 Tomahawk aircraft.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Requires owners/operators of certain Piper PA-38-112 aeroplanes to **inspect the vertical fin/rudder leading edge** at regular intervals (every 25 hours of flight time)\n- Requires a **permanent modification** to be carried out within 50 hours of flight time after 20 November 1978\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk aircraft with specific serial numbers: 38-78A0001 through 38-78A0215, and 38-78A0217 through 38-78A0226\n- Note: Serial number 38-78A0216 appears to be excluded from this directive\n\n**Why it matters:**\nAirworthiness Directives are legally binding safety orders. They typically address design defects or unsafe conditions discovered in aircraft. Non-compliance means the aircraft cannot legally fly. This particular AD addresses potential structural issues with the vertical fin and rudder leading edge—critical components for aircraft control and stability.\n\n**How to comply:**\nOperators must follow either:\n- Piper Service Bulletin No. 607A (Parts I and II), or\n- FAA Airworthiness Directive 78-22-01 (Amendment 39-3323)\n\nThese documents contain the detailed technical instructions for the required inspection and modification procedures."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-38-3-amdt-1-vertical-fin-rudder-leading-edge-inspection-and-modification","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-38-3-amdt-1-vertical-fin-rudder-leading-edge-inspection-and-modification/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-38-3-amdt-1-vertical-fin-rudder-leading-edge-inspection-and-modification/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-38-3-amdt-1-vertical-fin-rudder-leading-edge-inspection-and-modification/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-38-3-amdt-1-vertical-fin-rudder-leading-edge-inspection-and-modification/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-38-3-amdt-1-vertical-fin-rudder-leading-edge-inspection-and-modification/documents"}}