{"id":"F2006B06462","name":"AD/R44/12 - Auxiliary Fuel Tank Sump Drain - Shut Off Clamp","slug":"ad-r44-12-auxiliary-fuel-tank-sump-drain-shut-off-clamp","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":47939,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06462-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/R44/12 - Auxiliary Fuel Tank Sump Drain - Shut Off Clamp","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)  \nRobinson R44 Series Helicopters\n\nAD/R44/12 Auxiliary Fuel Tank Sump Drain \\- Shut Off Clamp 9/99\n\nApplicability: Robinson R44 Helicopters Serial Numbers 0002 through 0529 except 0440, 0485,\n\n0512, 0515, 0519, 0526, 0527 and 0528.\n\nRequirement: Install a shutoff clamp, part number (P/N) D663-1, to the auxiliary fuel tank sump drain, by sliding it on to the auxiliary fuel tank sump drain tube, P/N A729-7, as shown in the attached figure. Install placard decal P/N A654-93 as shown in the diagram.\n\n![](image.002.png)  \n\nNote: US FAA AD 99-13-11 Amendment 39-11204 dated July 29 1999 refers.\n\nCompliance: Within 100 flight hours or 3 calendar months from the effective date of this Directive.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 9 September 1999.\n\nBackground: A report has been received of fuel leaking from the auxiliary fuel tank drain tube, in flight, in the vicinity of the horizontal and vertical firewalls. This condition, if not rectified could lead to a catastrophic in-flight fire. This Directive introduces a modification to prevent leakage of the drain tube in flight.\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES","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 defect in specific aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating a physical modification to prevent fuel leaks."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 300 words)","Only 2 substantive requirements (install clamp, install placard)","Single, clearly defined applicability clause with explicit serial number exceptions","Simple compliance deadline (100 hours OR 3 months)","No defined terms section","No cross-references to other legislation (only a reference to the corresponding US FAA directive for context)","Single background rationale with clear causal chain"],"plain_english_summary":"Owners/operators of certain Robinson R44 helicopters must fit a shut-off clamp on the auxiliary fuel tank drain tube and add a nearby warning placard. The directive covers serials 0002–0529 (with a few exceptions) and aims to prevent in-flight opening of the drain valve after reports of fuel leaking near the firewall. The simple fix reduces the risk of fuel contacting hot engine or electrical parts and causing a catastrophic in‑flight fire."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Directive implements a focused, one‑time hardware modification to prevent the fuel‑leak risk described in the Background. The text shows no expansion beyond that original safety fix: it limits affected aircraft by serial number, prescribes specific parts/placard and sets a compliance deadline (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability by serial number with explicit exclusions (Applicability)","Single, clearly specified hardware retrofit and placard with part numbers (Requirement)","Short, fixed compliance window: 100 flight hours or 3 calendar months (Compliance)","Safety rationale and trigger clearly stated: reported in‑flight fuel leak near horizontal/vertical firewalls (Background)","Prescriptive mandate with little administrative discretion or stated exemptions (Requirement/Compliance)","Costs and operational impact concentrated on owners/operators (Requirement/Compliance)","Cross-reference to US FAA AD may require checking foreign documentation (Note)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this does:** This Airworthiness Directive requires owners/operators of certain Robinson R44 helicopters (serial numbers 0002–0529, with listed exclusions) to fit a shutoff clamp (P/N D663-1) to the auxiliary fuel‑tank sump drain and install a placard (P/N A654‑93).  \n\n**Why it matters:** Compliance within 100 flight hours or three months aims to stop reported in‑flight fuel leakage near the firewalls that could lead to an in‑flight fire (Background). Costs for parts and installation are borne by the aircraft owner/operator (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-r44-12-auxiliary-fuel-tank-sump-drain-shut-off-clamp","history":"/api/acts/ad-r44-12-auxiliary-fuel-tank-sump-drain-shut-off-clamp/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-r44-12-auxiliary-fuel-tank-sump-drain-shut-off-clamp/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-r44-12-auxiliary-fuel-tank-sump-drain-shut-off-clamp/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-r44-12-auxiliary-fuel-tank-sump-drain-shut-off-clamp/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-r44-12-auxiliary-fuel-tank-sump-drain-shut-off-clamp/documents"}}