{"id":"F2006B06398","name":"AD/PW500/1 - Flexible Fuel Tubes","slug":"ad-pw500-1-flexible-fuel-tubes","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":47717,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06398-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","sectionType":"part","heading":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","content":"# AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.\n\nPratt and Whitney Canada Turbine Engines \\- PW500 Series","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/PW500/1 Flexible Fuel Tubes 1/2003","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/PW500/1 Flexible Fuel Tubes 1/2003","content":"# AD/PW500/1 Flexible Fuel Tubes 1/2003\n\nApplicability: All Pratt and Whitney Canada (P&WC) PW530A engines up to and including serial number PCE-DA0472.\n\nAll P&WC PW535A engines up to and including serial number PCE-DC0161.\n\nAll P&WC PW545A engines up to and including serial number PCE-DB0540, except serial number PCE-DB0534.\n\nRequirement: Unless previously accomplished, inspect the flexible fuel tube in accordance with P&WC Service Bulletin 30217 R1.\n\nNote 1: Canadian AD CF-2002-42 refers.\n\nNote 2: Inspections accomplished in accordance with P&WC SB 30217 meet the intent of this Directive.\n\nCompliance: Within 50 flight hours or 60 days from the effective date of this Directive, whichever comes first.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 23 January 2003.\n\nBackground: There have been incidents of fuel leakage from the flexible fuel tube between the fuel oil heater and the integral fuel control unit fuel pump. This Directive requires a one- time inspection of the flexible fuel tube for damage.\n\n![Signature of James Coyne, Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.](image.002.png)  \n\nJames Coyne\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 27 November 2002\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 18 December 2002.","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope — a targeted safety inspection for a specific mechanical defect in specific engine serial numbers. There is no evidence of scope creep; it addresses exactly the fuel tube leakage issue described in the background."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 400 words)","Only 3 defined applicability criteria (engine models with specific serial number cutoffs)","Single requirement with one alternative compliance path (previous accomplishment)","Simple compliance timeframe (50 hours OR 60 days)","No nested exceptions, cross-references to other legislation, or conditional logic beyond the serial number exclusions","Only one external reference (Canadian AD CF-2002-42) provided for context, not as a mandatory cross-reference"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD mandates a one-time inspection of the flexible fuel tube between the fuel‑oil heater and fuel pump on certain Pratt & Whitney Canada PW530A, PW535A and PW545A engines. It applies to owners/operators of the listed engine serial numbers and must be done per Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin 30217 Rev 1 within 50 flight hours or 60 days of 23 Jan 2003.\n\nThe action prevents fuel leaks near hot engine parts that could cause fires."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD stays within the narrow, original remit: it addresses reported fuel leakage by mandating a one-time inspection of the flexible fuel tube on a defined set of engines/serial numbers. It does not broaden regulation to other components, require long-term monitoring, or extend applicability beyond the listed engines, so the scope has not grown beyond its stated safety purpose (see Background, Applicability, Requirement)."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-page directive with a single required action (one-time inspection).","Three engine model groups with serial-number upper limits and one explicit serial-number exclusion (specificity of applicability).","Cross-reference to one OEM document: P&WC Service Bulletin 30217 R1 (external technical detail delegated).","External reference to Canadian AD CF-2002-42 (one additional external source).","Single compliance window with two triggers (50 flight hours OR 60 days).","No nested exceptions or multiple conditional paths; no ongoing repetitive inspections or complex testing regimes.","No defined-term list or lengthy interpretation section."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)**\n\n- This is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) that requires a one-time inspection of a specific flexible fuel tube on certain Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PW500-series engines.\n- It applies only to: PW530A engines up to serial number PCE-DA0472; PW535A engines up to serial number PCE-DC0161; and PW545A engines up to serial number PCE-DB0540, except serial number PCE-DB0534 (see the \"Applicability\" section).\n- The inspection must be carried out in accordance with P&WC Service Bulletin 30217 Revision 1 (an OEM maintenance instruction referenced by the AD) (see the \"Requirement\").\n- The inspection must be completed within 50 flight hours or 60 days from the AD’s effective date, whichever occurs first (see \"Compliance\").\n- The AD notes that Canadian AD CF-2002-42 is relevant and that inspections done per P&WC SB 30217 meet the AD’s intent.\n- Effective date: 23 January 2003.\n\n**Why it was issued (official rationale and what the text says)**\n\n- The AD’s stated reason (in the \"Background\") is that there have been incidents of fuel leakage from the flexible fuel tube located between the fuel oil heater and the integral fuel control unit fuel pump. The AD requires the one-time inspection to detect and correct damage that could cause leakage.\n\n**Who is affected and who pays**\n\n- Affected parties: operators/owners of aircraft fitted with the listed P&WC PW500-series engines within the serial-number ranges identified; maintenance organisations performing inspections; and Pratt & Whitney Canada as the supplier of the service bulletin and spare parts.\n- Who pays: aircraft operators bear the direct costs (labour for the inspection, possible replacement or repair of the tube, and any associated aircraft downtime). Maintenance facilities charge for carrying out the work under the OEM service bulletin.\n\n**Who decides and what behaviour changes**\n\n- The AD is issued by the CASA delegate under the relevant CAR provision and is mandatory for operators of affected engines.\n- Required behavioural change: affected operators must schedule and complete the one-time inspection within the specified time window and follow the actions and acceptance criteria in P&WC SB 30217 R1. If damage is found, corrective action specified in the SB must be carried out.\n\n**Practical implementation notes, trade-offs and risks**\n\n- Implementation mechanism: the AD delegates the technical detail to the OEM service bulletin (P&WC SB 30217 R1). That means compliance is achieved by following the SB’s inspection procedure, which reduces ambiguity about inspection method and acceptable condition.\n- Costs and incentives: the direct cost is concentrated on the small set of affected operators; benefits (reduced risk of fuel leakage) are concentrated on those same operators and their passengers. Because this is a one-time mandated inspection, operators have a clear, short-term compliance cost but a limited ongoing burden.\n- Trade-offs and opportunity cost: operators must allocate maintenance hours and possibly spare parts on a short timetable (50 flight hours or 60 days), which can cause short-term disruption or re-prioritisation of other maintenance tasks.\n- Implementation risk: effectiveness depends on correct application of the SB inspection criteria and availability of authorised maintenance to perform the work. If operators replace the tube pre-emptively rather than inspect, costs increase; if inspections are not performed correctly or not performed at all, the safety objective is not achieved.\n- Regulatory clarity: the AD’s cross-reference to the OEM Service Bulletin and the Canadian AD creates a clear compliance path and reduces ambiguity about acceptable inspection standards (see Note 2).\n\n**What to expect next (operationally)**\n\n- If the inspection finds damage, the SB prescribes corrective action; further mandatory ADs could follow only if inspections reveal a wider defect pattern that requires broader action.\n\n(Sections cited in this summary: Applicability; Requirement; Compliance; Note 1 and Note 2; Background.)"},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-pw500-1-flexible-fuel-tubes","history":"/api/acts/ad-pw500-1-flexible-fuel-tubes/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-pw500-1-flexible-fuel-tubes/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-pw500-1-flexible-fuel-tubes/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-pw500-1-flexible-fuel-tubes/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-pw500-1-flexible-fuel-tubes/documents"}}