{"id":"F2006B06005","name":"AD/PA-44/14 - Nose Gear Drag Link","slug":"ad-pa-44-14-nose-gear-drag-link","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":114403,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06005-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-44/14 - Nose Gear Drag Link","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-44 (Seminole) Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/PA-44/14 Nose Gear Drag Link 10/94\n\nApplicability: Model Serial Numbers\n\nPA44-180 44-7995001 through 44-8195026\n\nPA44-180T 44-8107001 through 44-8207005\n\nRequirement: Incorporate Nose Landing Gear Modification Kit, Piper Part No. 764-378.\n\nAccomplish this action in accordance with the procedures and sketches included with the instructions to the above referenced kit.\n\nNote 1: The modification kit referenced above consists of a close tolerance bolt (NAS464P4-27), four bearings, and other associated hardware for installation on the drag link assembly. This NAS464P4-27 bolt replaces the AN4-20 bolt used to connect the upper and lower drag links.\n\nNote 2: FAA AD 94-14-14 Amdt 39-8962 and Piper Service Letter 988 refer.\n\nCompliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 15 September 1994.\n\nBackground: The FAA received reports of collapsed nosegear on the affected aircraft. In particular, these reports reveal failure of the bolt (AN4-20) connecting the lower drag link of the nosegear to the upper drag link.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive addressing a specific mechanical failure mode in a specific aircraft type. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating a nose gear bolt replacement."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical modification required","Only 2 aircraft models affected with clearly defined serial number ranges","No conditional logic or alternative compliance methods","No defined terms section — uses standard aviation part numbers (AN4-20, NAS464P4-27)","Short document (approximately 200 words)","Single compliance deadline with straightforward calculation (100 hours time in service after fixed date)","Cross-references only to supporting documents (FAA AD and Piper Service Letter) for background, not for substantive requirements"],"plain_english_summary":"Owners and operators of certain Piper PA‑44 Seminoles (serials from about 1979–1982) must replace the original AN4‑20 nose‑landing‑gear bolt with a stronger NAS464P4‑27 and fit new bearings/hardware. CASA issued this mandatory AD after reports of bolt failures causing nose‑gear collapses; it prevents landing loss of control, damage, and injury. The compliance window was 100 flight hours after 15 Sep 1994; it remains enforceable for unmodified aircraft."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD sticks to its original technical remedy: replacing the identified bolt assembly on specified serial-number aircraft to prevent nosegear collapse. It does not broaden to other models, parts, or inspection regimes; it mandates a retrofit using a specific kit within a defined compliance window."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability: specific PA‑44 models and serial number ranges (Applicability).","Single, well-defined mechanical fix: install Piper Part No. 764-378 (Requirement; Note 1).","Short compliance window tied to flight hours and a fixed calendar start (Compliance).","Dependence on following kit instructions and sketches—installation quality affects effectiveness (Requirement).","References external sources (FAA AD 94-14-14 and Piper Service Letter 988) which may affect supporting guidance (Note 2).","Costs fall directly on aircraft owners/operators (parts and labour; implied by Requirement/Compliance)."],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires fitting Piper Modification Kit No. 764-378 to replace the AN4-20 bolt and related hardware in the nose-gear drag link with a close-tolerance bolt and bearings (Requirement). It applies to listed PA‑44 Seminole serial numbers and must be done within 100 hours time-in-service after 15 September 1994 (Compliance). The measure responds to reports of nosegear collapse caused by bolt failure (Background). Aircraft owners/operators pay for parts and labour and must install the kit following the kit procedures."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-44-14-nose-gear-drag-link","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-44-14-nose-gear-drag-link/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-44-14-nose-gear-drag-link/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-44-14-nose-gear-drag-link/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-44-14-nose-gear-drag-link/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-44-14-nose-gear-drag-link/documents"}}