{"id":"F2006B06599","name":"AD/RES/31 - Sutton Harness Inspection and Life","slug":"ad-res-31-sutton-harness-inspection-and-life","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":48427,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06599-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\nRestraint Equipment","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/RES/31 Sutton Harness Inspection and ","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/RES/31 Sutton Harness Inspection and Life 3/2002","content":"# AD/RES/31 Sutton Harness Inspection and Life 3/2002\n\nApplicability: All Sutton shoulder harnesses.\n\nNote: These harnesses are installed in but not limited to De Havilland DH60, DH82, DH83 and DH94 series aircraft.\n\nRequirement: 1. Inspect integrity of the front and rear cockpit safety harness installations in accordance with Paragraph 2A of British Aerospace Mandatory TNS CT(Moth) No. 33 Issue 1 dated 1 March 1999.\n\n2. For front and rear cockpit safety harnesses P/Ns H34804A, H33257A, 51764A, H20746 or H37544, replace in accordance with Paragraph 2D of British Aerospace Mandatory TNS CT(Moth) No. 33 Issue 1 dated 1 March 1999.\n\nNote: UK CAA AD 002-12-2001 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. Within 10 flying hours or before 21 June 2002 whichever occurs first and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 12 months.\n\n2. Within 9 years of the initial installation date of harness or, if the installation date is not known, within 150 flying hours or before 17 June 2002 whichever occurs first.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 21 March 2002.\n\nBackground: Investigation into a fatal accident in UK revealed that the harness restraint cables and one lap strap near the stitching had failed during impact. Subsequent investigation revealed that the strength of the webbing had significantly deteriorated without any visual indication. Aircraft specific AD’s have previously been issued for DH60, DH82 and DH94 series aircraft. This AD has been raised to cover possible other aircraft types fitted with a Sutton harness.\n\n![Signature of David Alan Villiers Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority](image.002.png)  \n\nDavid Alan Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 4 February 2002\n\n![](image.001.png)","sortOrder":1}],"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":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The AD expands scope beyond earlier aircraft-specific directives to cover 'all Sutton shoulder harnesses' (see 'Applicability' and 'Background'). It replaces limited, aircraft-specific requirements with a blanket inspection mandate and part-numbered replacement rule, creating broader applicability and new compliance obligations for any operator with Sutton harnesses installed."},"complexity_factors":["Requires following an external technical standard: British Aerospace Mandatory TNS CT(Moth) No.33 Issue 1 (Paragraphs 2A and 2D) — access and interpretation needed.","Different measures for inspection versus replacement (two distinct procedures and triggers).","Multiple specific part numbers (H34804A, H33257A, 51764A, H20746, H37544) carry a separate replacement rule.","Staggered and short compliance windows (10 flying hours or before 21 June 2002 for initial inspection; thereafter annual; replacement within 9 years or 150 flying hours or before 17 June 2002 if installation date unknown).","Wide applicability phrasing ('All Sutton shoulder harnesses' and 'not limited to' certain aircraft) expands scope beyond previously issued, aircraft-specific ADs.","Operational difficulty in determining initial installation date or accurately tracking flying hours where records are incomplete.","Safety issue involves non-obvious webbing deterioration, meaning inspections may require specific test methods beyond visual checks.","Cross-reference to UK CAA AD 002-12-2001 and legal basis under CAR 1998 subregulation 39.1(1) — inter-jurisdictional linkage and regulatory provenance considerations."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of aircraft fitted with Sutton shoulder harnesses to inspect front and rear cockpit harness installations using the procedure in British Aerospace Mandatory TNS CT(Moth) No.33 and to replace certain part-numbered harnesses per that same document. It applies to all Sutton shoulder harnesses (including but not limited to specified De Havilland types). Inspections and replacements have short, specified compliance windows because the AD responds to a UK fatal accident and reported hidden webbing deterioration."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope. It was issued specifically to address the safety defect identified in the UK accident (deteriorated harness webbing) and applies only to Sutton shoulder harnesses. The note indicating applicability to 'other aircraft types' beyond the De Havilland series mentioned is consistent with the original intent of capturing all affected installations, not an expansion of scope."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 400 words)","Only 5 specific part numbers listed for replacement","Single cross-reference to a UK technical document (British Aerospace Mandatory TNS CT(Moth) No. 33)","Simple conditional logic: 'whichever occurs first' used twice for compliance timing","No defined terms section — common aviation terminology used throughout","Clear applicability section limiting scope to specific product type"],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires owners/operators of aircraft fitted with Sutton shoulder harnesses (notably vintage De Havilland Moth types) to inspect the webbing for hidden deterioration and to replace specified harnesses after nine years or 150 flying hours. It was issued after a UK fatal accident where a harness that appeared sound failed in impact. Short, mandatory compliance deadlines apply to prevent similar failures and loss of life."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-res-31-sutton-harness-inspection-and-life","history":"/api/acts/ad-res-31-sutton-harness-inspection-and-life/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-res-31-sutton-harness-inspection-and-life/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-res-31-sutton-harness-inspection-and-life/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-res-31-sutton-harness-inspection-and-life/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-res-31-sutton-harness-inspection-and-life/documents"}}