{"id":"F2006B06878","name":"AD/SD3-60/33 - Rudder Torque Tube Fitting","slug":"ad-sd3-60-33-rudder-torque-tube-fitting","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":114758,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06878-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/SD3-60/33 - Rudder Torque Tube Fitting","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 SD3-60 Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/SD3-60/33 Rudder Torque Tube Fitting 8/91\n\nApplicability: Model SD360.\n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with Mandatory Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-55-17. Compliance:              As specified in the Requirement Document with a revised effective date of 8 August\n\n1991 for Australian registered aircraft.\n\n \n\nBackground:  Instances have been reported where the rudder torque tube fitting at rib 1 has been subject to exfoliation corrosion. The effective date required by the UK CAA is extended by three months.\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\n \n","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 a specific aircraft type. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating corrosion inspections for the rudder torque tube fitting."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 150 words)","Only 1 defined term implicitly referenced (Model SD360)","Single, unambiguous requirement: comply with external service bulletin","No nested conditions, exceptions, or cross-references to other legislation","Straightforward applicability test (specific aircraft model only)","Simple compliance deadline structure with single extension"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — essentially a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for aircraft.\n\n**What it does:**\nOrders owners and operators of **Short SD3-60 series aeroplanes** (also known as Short 360 aircraft) to inspect and fix a specific corrosion problem in the rudder system.\n\n**The specific problem:**\nThe **rudder torque tube fitting** (a metal component that helps transfer steering forces to the aircraft's rudder) located at \"rib 1\" has been found to suffer from **exfoliation corrosion** — a type of corrosion where metal flakes apart in layers, like pages of a book peeling away. This weakens the structure and could potentially cause control problems.\n\n**Who must act:**\nAnyone operating a **Model SD360** aircraft registered in Australia.\n\n**What they must do:**\nFollow the instructions in **Mandatory Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-55-17** — a technical repair notice issued by the aircraft manufacturer (Short Brothers). This typically involves inspecting the fitting and replacing or repairing it if corrosion is found.\n\n**When:**\nBy **8 August 1991** for Australian-registered aircraft. This deadline is three months later than the one set by the UK aviation regulator (UK CAA), giving Australian operators extra time to comply.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nRudder control is essential for safe flight. If the torque tube fitting fails due to corrosion, pilots could lose directional control of the aircraft. This directive prevents accidents by catching the problem before it becomes critical."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The directive does not change the set of aircraft or the corrective actions required; it changes the compliance timetable. The AD specifies that compliance is required \"as specified in the Requirement Document with a revised effective date of 8 August 1991 for Australian registered aircraft,\" and notes that the UK CAA effective date has been extended by three months. (Compliance; Background)"},"complexity_factors":["Cross-reference to an external technical document (Mandatory Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-55-17) for the substantive actions","Limited scope: a single aircraft model (Model SD360) is affected (Applicability)","Regulatory timing detail: revised effective date specified, and an international (UK CAA) timetable adjustment is noted (Compliance; Background)","Safety-critical technical content is delegated to the service bulletin rather than contained in the AD (Requirement)","Potential operational implementation issues (access to bulletin, parts, maintenance slots) not resolved in the AD"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD makes compliance with Mandatory Shorts Service Bulletin SD360‑55‑17 compulsory for Australian‑registered Short SD3‑60 (Model SD360) aircraft, addressing reported exfoliation corrosion of the rudder torque‑tube fitting at rib 1. CASA sets the compliance timing and adopts a revised effective date of 8 August 1991.\n\nPractically, owners/operators must arrange and pay for the inspections/repairs specified in the Service Bulletin; CASA enforces the requirement but the AD relies on the bulletin for the technical steps."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-sd3-60-33-rudder-torque-tube-fitting","history":"/api/acts/ad-sd3-60-33-rudder-torque-tube-fitting/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-sd3-60-33-rudder-torque-tube-fitting/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-sd3-60-33-rudder-torque-tube-fitting/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-sd3-60-33-rudder-torque-tube-fitting/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-sd3-60-33-rudder-torque-tube-fitting/documents"}}