{"id":"F2006B05970","name":"AD/PA-38/5 Amdt 1 - Rudder Hinge Bracket Assembly, Lower - Modification","slug":"ad-pa-38-5-amdt-1-rudder-hinge-bracket-assembly-lower-modification","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":136155,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05970-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-38/5 Amdt 1 - Rudder Hinge Bracket Assembly, Lower - 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-38/5\n\nAmdt 1\n\n\nRudder Hinge Bracket Assembly, Lower - Modification\n\n\n3/80\n\n \n\nApplicability: All model PA-38-112 with S/Nos. 38-78A0001 to 38-80A0063. Document:  Piper SB No. 613A.\n\nCompliance: Unless already accomplished to previous issue of this AD, within 100 hours time in service after 31 March 1980.\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 \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This is Amendment 1 to AD/PA-38/5 (Amdt 1). The document applies to all PA-38-112 aircraft with serial numbers 38-78A0001 to 38-80A0063 and requires modification of the lower rudder hinge bracket assembly per Piper SB No. 613A within 100 hours time in service after 31 March 1980 unless already completed (Applicability; Document; Compliance). The AD text indicates it replaces or updates a previous issue of the AD but does not specify what specific elements were altered from the prior issue, so the exact nature of the change relative to the original cannot be determined from this text alone."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow and clearly stated applicability (specific model and serial number range) reduces complexity (Applicability).","A firm, simple compliance metric and deadline (100 hours TIS after 31 March 1980) simplifies compliance tracking (Compliance).","Technical execution is delegated to an external manufacturer document (Piper SB No. 613A), which requires access to and interpretation of that Service Bulletin by maintenance personnel (Document).","Practical complexity arises from operational factors not described in the AD text: parts availability, required maintenance qualifications, and scheduling/aircraft downtime.","The instrument is an amendment (Amdt 1) to a prior AD, so stakeholders must check earlier versions to understand historical changes and whether their aircraft have already complied (Amdt 1; Compliance)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive mandates a modification to the lower rudder hinge bracket assembly on specified Piper PA‑38‑112 (Tomahawk) serials, to be done per Piper Service Bulletin No. 613A. Affected owners/operators must complete the work within 100 hours TIS after 31 March 1980 unless already complied with; the Civil Aviation Safety Authority enforces the requirement.\n\nCompliance costs (parts, labour, downtime) fall to owners/operators; the AD delegates technical detail to the SB and does not quantify costs or parts availability."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is Amendment 1 to an existing Airworthiness Directive, but the scope remains tightly focused on the specific rudder hinge bracket modification for the defined aircraft serial number range. There is no evidence of scope creep beyond the original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 150 words)","Only 2 defined elements: applicability range and compliance deadline","Single, unambiguous requirement with clear reference to external technical document (Piper SB 613A)","No nested conditions, exceptions, or cross-references to other legislation","Straightforward applicability test based on aircraft model and serial number"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). It mandates a safety modification for specific Piper PA-38 Tomahawk aircraft.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Requires owners/operators to modify the **lower rudder hinge bracket assembly** on affected aircraft\n- The modification must follow **Piper Service Bulletin No. 613A** (the manufacturer's official repair instructions)\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of **Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk aircraft** with serial numbers from **38-78A0001 to 38-80A0063**\n- This covers aircraft manufactured between 1978 and 1980\n\n**Why it matters:**\n- Airworthiness Directives are **legally binding safety orders**. They are issued when a safety defect is found that could affect flight safety.\n- The rudder controls the aircraft's yaw (left-right movement). A faulty hinge bracket could lead to **loss of rudder control** — a serious safety risk.\n- Non-compliance means the aircraft cannot legally fly.\n\n**Deadline:**\n- The modification must be completed within **100 hours of flight time** after 31 March 1980 (or sooner if already done under the previous version of this directive)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-38-5-amdt-1-rudder-hinge-bracket-assembly-lower-modification","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-38-5-amdt-1-rudder-hinge-bracket-assembly-lower-modification/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-38-5-amdt-1-rudder-hinge-bracket-assembly-lower-modification/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-38-5-amdt-1-rudder-hinge-bracket-assembly-lower-modification/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-38-5-amdt-1-rudder-hinge-bracket-assembly-lower-modification/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-38-5-amdt-1-rudder-hinge-bracket-assembly-lower-modification/documents"}}