{"id":"F2006B06028","name":"AD/PA-46/22 - Elevator Trim Cable Guide Tube","slug":"ad-pa-46-22-elevator-trim-cable-guide-tube","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":114426,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06028-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/PA-46/22 - Elevator Trim Cable Guide Tube","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-46 (Malibu) Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/PA-46/22 Elevator Trim Cable Guide Tube 10/92\n\nApplicability: Model PA-46-310P with serial numbers 46-8408001 through 46-8608067 and 4608001 through 4608140.\n\nModel PA-46-350P with serial numbers 4622001 through 4622117.\n\nRequirement: 1. Visually inspect the elevator trim cable guide tube for severance. Severance is defined as any cut, break, or division of the elevator trim cable guide tube (generally performed to gain access to the trim cable turnbuckles).\n\n2. If severance is found , splice the elevator trim cable guide tube and install an external sleeve in accordance with the instructions in Elevator Trim Cable Guide Tube Splice Kit, Piper Part Number 766-272.\n\nNote 1. Piper Kit 766-272 is referenced in Piper SB 953.\n\nNote 2. Revised maintenance procedures on gaining access to the trim cable turnbuckles may be obtained from the manufacturer.\n\nNote 3. FAA AD 92-13-06 Amdt 39-8276 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. Within 100 hours time in service after 17 September 1992.\n\n2. Prior to further flight.\n\nBackground: Investigation of the trim system on one of the affected aircraft revealed a lockup of the trim tab system because the elevator trim cable guide tube was severed and the mismatched halves had jammed the trim cable turnbuckles. The effective date required by the FAA is extended by one month.","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":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive’s technical scope — inspect and repair the elevator trim cable guide tube on the listed serial numbers — is unchanged. The only procedural modification noted in the source is an extension of the FAA effective date by one month (Background); no expansion or narrowing of affected aircraft or required actions is stated."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability: specific PA-46-310P and PA-46-350P serial number ranges limit affected fleet (Applicability).","Simple required action: a visual inspection for severance and a prescribed repair (Requirement: visual inspection; splice and sleeve using Piper Part Number 766-272).","Prescribed repair method reduces discretion: repair must follow the Piper kit instructions (Requirement: Piper Kit 766-272 referenced in Piper SB 953).","Short compliance timeline raises operational impact: within 100 hours time in service and repair before further flight if severed (Compliance).","Cross-references increase administrative steps: references to a manufacturer service bulletin and FAA AD require cross-checking (Notes; Background).","Operator-borne costs and logistics: operators pay for inspection labor, parts (splice kit) and any associated downtime (Requirement; Compliance).","Safety-critical consequence if not addressed increases enforcement priority and potential grounding (Background)."],"plain_english_summary":"This airworthiness directive requires operators of specified Piper PA‑46-310P and PA‑46-350P serial numbers to visually inspect the elevator trim cable guide tube for any severance and, if severed, splice the tube and fit an external sleeve using Piper Part Number 766-272. It matters because a severed guide tube can jam the trim cable turnbuckles and lock the trim system. Operators must comply within 100 flight hours after 17 September 1992, and any identified severance must be repaired before further flight."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive addressing a specific mechanical defect identified through incident investigation. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating inspection and repair of the elevator trim cable guide tube on affected aircraft."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical issue (severed guide tube) with straightforward inspection and repair requirements","Limited applicability — only two aircraft models with defined serial number ranges","Only 3 defined procedural steps (inspect, repair if found, use specific kit)","Minimal cross-referencing (one FAA AD reference, one manufacturer service bulletin)","Clear compliance deadlines with simple conditional logic (100 hours OR prior to flight)","No nested exceptions, discretionary powers, or interpretive provisions"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive orders owners/operators of specific early Piper PA-46-310P and PA-46-350P Malibu aircraft (listed serial numbers) to visually inspect the elevator trim cable guide tube and, if it is cut or broken, repair it using the approved splice-and-sleeve kit. \n\nA severed guide tube can jam the trim, causing loss of pitch control; compliance is mandatory within 100 flight hours after 17 September 1992 (or before next flight). The AD mirrors an FAA order but gives Australian operators one extra month."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pa-46-22-elevator-trim-cable-guide-tube","history":"/api/acts/ad-pa-46-22-elevator-trim-cable-guide-tube/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pa-46-22-elevator-trim-cable-guide-tube/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pa-46-22-elevator-trim-cable-guide-tube/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pa-46-22-elevator-trim-cable-guide-tube/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pa-46-22-elevator-trim-cable-guide-tube/documents"}}