{"id":"F2006B06571","name":"AD/RC-3/2 - Wing Tip Float Strut","slug":"ad-rc-3-2-wing-tip-float-strut","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":48341,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06571-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/RC-3/2 - Wing Tip Float Strut","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)  Sky Enterprises (Republic) RC-3 (Seabee) Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/RC-3/2 Wing Tip Float Strut 10/99\n\nApplicability: Model RC-3 aircraft, serial numbers 5 through 236.\n\n \n\nRequirement: Inspect in accordance with Republic Aviation Service Bulletin No. 12.\n\n \n\nNote: FAA AD 47-21-21 refers.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Unless already accomplished, before 31 October 1999; thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours time in service for aircraft fitted with struts without relief holes at the ends of slots at the upper end of each tip float strut.\n\n \n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 7 October 1999.\n\n \n\nBackground: Cracks have been found in slots at the upper end of the wing tip float strut.\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":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD text sets out a specific inspection requirement, the affected serial-number range, initial and recurring compliance times, and an effective date. The instrument itself does not indicate any amendment or expansion of scope beyond those elements, so there is no evidence in this text that the scope has changed from the directive as presented."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability: single aircraft model and limited serial-number range (Applicability).","Single mandated action: inspection as specified by an external service bulletin (Requirement).","Conditional ongoing obligation: recurring interval applies only to struts without relief holes at slot ends (Compliance).","External-document dependency: procedural detail is in Republic Aviation Service Bulletin No. 12 rather than in the AD text (Requirement).","Reference to related foreign AD (FAA AD 47-21-21) adds a cross-reference but no additional requirements in this text (Note)."],"plain_english_summary":"# What this direction does\n\n- This Airworthiness Directive (AD/RC-3/2) requires owners/operators of Sky Enterprises (Republic) RC-3 (Seabee) aeroplanes, serial numbers 5 through 236, to carry out inspections of the wing tip float strut in accordance with Republic Aviation Service Bulletin No. 12. (Applicability; Requirement)\n\n- The mandatory timing is: if the inspection has not already been done, it must be completed before 31 October 1999; after that, aircraft that have tip float struts without relief holes at the ends of the upper slots must be inspected at intervals not greater than 50 hours time in service. The AD came into effect on 7 October 1999. (Compliance; Effective)\n\n- The stated reason for the direction is that cracks have been found in the slots at the upper end of the wing tip float strut. (Background)\n\n# Who is affected and who decides\n\n- Who must act: the aircraft owners/operators of Model RC-3, serial numbers 5–236, are the parties required to arrange and complete the inspections. (Applicability; Requirement)\n\n- Who decides how the inspection is performed: the AD mandates compliance “in accordance with Republic Aviation Service Bulletin No. 12,” so the content and steps of the inspection are set by that service bulletin. The AD itself sets the timing and applicability. (Requirement)\n\n# What behaviour changes and what the directive requires mechanically\n\n- Operators must schedule and complete the specified inspection before the initial compliance date if not already done, and then repeat inspections at intervals not exceeding 50 hours time in service for aircraft with the specific strut condition (no relief holes at slot ends). This changes routine maintenance scheduling for affected aircraft and creates a recurring inspection obligation. (Compliance)\n\n# Who pays and what burdens arise\n\n- The AD places the compliance burden on the aircraft owner/operator: they must obtain and follow the service bulletin, perform or contract the inspection work, and schedule the aircraft out of service for the inspection. The AD text does not quantify costs; it only imposes the inspection requirement and timing. (Requirement; Compliance)\n\n# Links to other documents and sources of detail\n\n- The AD refers to Republic Aviation Service Bulletin No. 12 for the inspection procedure; the exact inspection steps and acceptance criteria are contained in that external document. (Requirement)\n\n- The AD also notes a corresponding FAA airworthiness directive (FAA AD 47-21-21), which may contain related material but is cited only as a reference in this text. (Note)\n\n# Trade-offs, risks and implementation points to note\n\n- The stated safety rationale is discovery of cracks in the upper-slot area of the tip float strut; the AD translates that finding into a mandated inspection regime. (Background)\n\n- The AD creates recurring operational costs in the form of inspection time and any remedial work found necessary; it also requires operators to follow an external service bulletin for procedural detail (compliance burden and dependency on that bulletin). (Requirement; Compliance)\n\n- The AD limits the recurring inspection requirement to aircraft with a particular strut configuration (no relief holes at the ends of the upper slots), so aircraft fitted with the alternate configuration are not required to follow the 50‑hour interval set out here. (Compliance)\n\n- The AD sets a hard initial compliance deadline and an effective date; operators must meet those dates to comply with the directive as written. (Compliance; Effective)\n\n# Sections cited\n\n- Applicability: Model RC-3 aircraft, serial numbers 5 through 236. (Applicability)\n- Requirement: Inspect in accordance with Republic Aviation Service Bulletin No. 12. (Requirement)\n- Compliance: Initial deadline before 31 October 1999; thereafter intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS for aircraft with struts without relief holes at ends of slots at upper end of each tip float strut. (Compliance)\n- Effective date: 7 October 1999. (Effective)\n- Background: Cracks found in slots at the upper end of the wing tip float strut. (Background)"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, single-issue safety directive targeting a specific known defect in a specific aircraft type. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of addressing cracks in wing tip float struts on Republic RC-3 Seabee aircraft."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical component addressed (wing tip float strut)","Clear applicability criteria (one model, specific serial number range)","Straightforward compliance timeline (one fixed date plus recurring interval)","Only one technical reference to external document (Service Bulletin No. 12)","No defined terms section, no cross-references to other legislation","Simple conditional logic (only applies to struts without relief holes)","Total length: approximately 150 words of substantive content"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this is:** This is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Think of it as a recall notice for aircraft, but legally binding.\n\n**What it does:** It requires owners and operators of specific Seabee seaplanes (model RC-3, serial numbers 5 through 236) to inspect the wing tip float struts for cracks. These struts are the metal supports that hold the small floats at the wingtips — the parts that keep the wings from dipping into the water when the plane is on the water.\n\n**Who must comply:** Anyone who owns or operates one of these specific Seabee aircraft. The directive applies to roughly 232 individual planes built between the 1940s and 1950s.\n\n**What must be done:**\n- **Initial inspection:** Must be completed before 31 October 1999\n- **Follow-up inspections:** Every 50 hours of flight time for planes with a specific type of strut (those without \"relief holes\" at the ends of slots)\n- **How to inspect:** Follow the procedure in Republic Aviation Service Bulletin No. 12 (the manufacturer's official repair manual instruction)\n\n**Why it matters:** Cracks had been discovered in the slots at the top of these struts. If a strut fails, the wing tip float could detach or the wing structure could be damaged — potentially catastrophic during water operations. This AD prevents accidents by catching cracks before they cause structural failure.\n\n**Key context:** This references an older American FAA directive (AD 47-21-21), showing Australia adopted a safety measure already mandated in the United States for this American-designed aircraft."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-rc-3-2-wing-tip-float-strut","history":"/api/acts/ad-rc-3-2-wing-tip-float-strut/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-rc-3-2-wing-tip-float-strut/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-rc-3-2-wing-tip-float-strut/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-rc-3-2-wing-tip-float-strut/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-rc-3-2-wing-tip-float-strut/documents"}}