{"id":"F2006B06814","name":"AD/SD3-30/13 Amdt 1 - Right and Left Drag Links - Inspection and Modification","slug":"ad-sd3-30-13-amdt-1-right-and-left-drag-links-inspection-and-modification","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":114678,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06814-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/SD3-30/13 Amdt 1 - Right and Left Drag Links - Inspection and Modification","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)  Short SD3-30 Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/SD3-30/13\n\nAmdt 1\n\n\nRight and Left Drag Links - Inspection and Modification\n\n\n4/83\n\n \n\nApplicability: All model SD3-30 with S/Nos. SH3002 to SH3088. Document:  Shorts SB No. SD3-53-48, Rev. 1.\n\nCompliance: Unless already accomplished, within 600 hours time in service after 30 November, 1982.\n\n \n\nBackground:  Amendment 1 introduces repeat inspection intervals for certain repair limits and adds a radiographic technique.\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\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Amendment 1 expanded the directive's operational requirements by adding repeat inspection intervals for certain repair limits and by allowing a radiographic inspection technique. These changes convert part of the requirement from a single mandated inspection/modification into one that may require recurring inspections and specialised NDT capability, increasing ongoing obligations for affected operators (Background; Document)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow, well‑defined applicability by serial number reduces legal ambiguity but limits affected population (Applicability).","Mandatory single compliance deadline (600 hours after 30 Nov 1982) is straightforward, but introduces scheduling pressure for operators (Compliance).","Reliance on an external technical document (Shorts SB No. SD3-53-48, Rev. 1) for procedures and repair limits adds operational complexity and potential interpretive issues (Document).","Addition of repeat inspection intervals creates ongoing compliance obligations rather than a one‑off action, increasing administrative and operational burden (Background).","Introduction of a radiographic inspection technique requires specialised NDT capability or vendor reliance, raising logistical and cost complexity (Background).","Potential need for technical judgment when applying repair limits from the service bulletin can create variation in implementation and recordkeeping requirements (Document)."],"plain_english_summary":"- What this instrument does mechanically\n  - Requires inspection and any necessary modification of the right and left drag links on Short SD3-30 aeroplanes with serial numbers SH3002 to SH3088 (Applicability).  The technical steps and repair limits are set out in the referenced service bulletin: Shorts SB No. SD3-53-48, Rev. 1 (Document).\n  - Sets a compliance deadline: unless the work has already been done, the inspection/modification must be completed within 600 hours time in service after 30 November 1982 (Compliance).\n  - Amendment 1 specifically adds two changes to the earlier directive: it introduces repeat inspection intervals for certain repair limits, and it adds a radiographic (non‑destructive testing) technique as an accepted inspection method (Background).\n\n- Who is affected\n  - Owners and operators of SD3-30 aeroplanes with serial numbers SH3002–SH3088. Maintenance organisations contracted by those owners/operators will also be affected because they must carry out the inspections and any modifications in accordance with the service bulletin (Applicability; Document).\n\n- Why it matters and how it works in practice\n  - The directive imposes a mandatory, time‑bound maintenance action. Operators must schedule the inspection/modification within the stated 600‑hour window or show that it has already been done (Compliance). The service bulletin provides the detailed technical procedure and repair limits that technicians must follow (Document).\n  - Amendment 1 makes the maintenance obligation partly recurring: for some repairs, operators must do repeat inspections at intervals specified (Background). It also permits a radiographic technique for detecting defects, which may require access to specialised non‑destructive testing (NDT) equipment or external NDT providers (Background; Document).\n\n- Who pays, who decides, and what behaviour changes\n  - Owners/operators pay for the inspection, any modification or repair, and for any specialised testing (for example, radiography) or third‑party NDT services (Applicability; Document). They also pay for the aircraft downtime while work is done (Compliance).\n  - The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (by issuing the AD) sets the mandatory requirement; the detailed means of compliance are supplied by the referenced Shorts service bulletin, which technicians must follow (Document).\n  - Operators will need to schedule the work within the 600‑hour deadline, adapt maintenance plans to accommodate any repeat inspection intervals introduced by the amendment, and obtain radiographic capability either in‑house or from contractors (Compliance; Background).\n\n- Costs, incentives, trade‑offs and implementation risks\n  - Direct costs: labour, parts, possible replacement of drag links, payment for radiographic NDT or acquisition of equipment, and aircraft downtime (Applicability; Document; Compliance).\n  - Incentives: completing the mandated inspections/modifications preserves airworthiness and compliance; failing to comply risks regulatory action and unairworthy operation (Compliance).\n  - Trade‑offs and opportunity costs: resources spent on this work reduce time and budget available for other maintenance or operational activities. Repeat inspection intervals create ongoing recurring costs rather than a one‑off cost (Background).\n  - Implementation risks: operators unable to perform radiographic inspection in‑house must rely on external providers, which may affect scheduling and cost. The service bulletin defines repair limits and techniques; if those limits require judgment, that can create dependence on qualified maintenance personnel to interpret and certify compliance (Document).\n\n- Effects on private choice and market players\n  - The requirement constrains operators' maintenance planning and budgets for the affected serial‑numbered fleet. It creates demand for maintenance and NDT services (Document; Background).\n  - Because the AD applies only to a defined set of serial numbers, the costs are concentrated on that subset of owners/operators while safety benefits (as claimed by the AD) accrue to each affected aircraft and to those who fly on them (Applicability; Background).\n\n- Source citations\n  - Applicability: \"All model SD3-30 with S/Nos. SH3002 to SH3088.\"  (Applicability)\n  - Compliance deadline: \"Unless already accomplished, within 600 hours time in service after 30 November, 1982.\" (Compliance)\n  - Technical reference: \"Shorts SB No. SD3-53-48, Rev. 1.\" (Document)\n  - Amendment content: \"Amendment 1 introduces repeat inspection intervals for certain repair limits and adds a radiographic technique.\" (Background)"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a narrow, technical maintenance directive focused on a specific aircraft type and component. Amendment 1 modestly expands the original AD by adding repeat inspection requirements and a new inspection technique, but this remains within the original safety purpose — ensuring airworthiness of drag links. No scope creep beyond aviation safety maintenance."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 150 words of substantive content)","Only 1 defined term implicitly referenced (the service bulletin)","No cross-references to other legislation or regulations beyond the enabling Civil Aviation Regulations 1998","Simple conditional structure: single applicability criterion (serial number range) and single compliance deadline","No nested exceptions or complex logical operators","Straightforward command structure: inspect, modify, comply by date"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — essentially a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for specific aircraft.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Requires owners and operators of certain **Short SD3-30 series aeroplanes** (a type of regional turboprop aircraft, also known as the Short 330) to inspect and potentially modify the **right and left drag links** — these are structural components in the aircraft's landing gear or control systems that help maintain alignment and absorb loads.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- All SD3-30 aircraft with **serial numbers SH3002 through SH3088** — this covers a specific production batch of these planes.\n\n**What must be done:**\n- Unless the work has already been completed, operators must comply **within 600 hours of flight time** after **30 November 1982**.\n- The technical details are found in **Shorts Service Bulletin SD3-53-48, Revision 1** (the manufacturer's official maintenance instruction).\n\n**What's new in this version (Amendment 1):**\n- Adds **repeat inspection intervals** for certain repair limits — meaning some repairs now need to be checked again periodically rather than just once.\n- Introduces a **radiographic technique** — using X-rays or similar imaging to inspect the parts without disassembling them.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nAirworthiness Directives are legally binding safety requirements. Failure to comply means an aircraft cannot legally fly in Australian airspace. This particular AD addresses potential structural fatigue or failure in critical components that could affect flight safety."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-sd3-30-13-amdt-1-right-and-left-drag-links-inspection-and-modification","history":"/api/acts/ad-sd3-30-13-amdt-1-right-and-left-drag-links-inspection-and-modification/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-sd3-30-13-amdt-1-right-and-left-drag-links-inspection-and-modification/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-sd3-30-13-amdt-1-right-and-left-drag-links-inspection-and-modification/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-sd3-30-13-amdt-1-right-and-left-drag-links-inspection-and-modification/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-sd3-30-13-amdt-1-right-and-left-drag-links-inspection-and-modification/documents"}}