{"id":"F2006B06940","name":"AD/SF340/11 - Pitot Systems Water Traps","slug":"ad-sf340-11-pitot-systems-water-traps","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":114832,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06940-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/SF340/11 - Pitot Systems Water Traps","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)  SAAB SF340 Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/SF340/11 Pitot Systems Water Traps 11/88\n\nApplicability: Model SF340A with serial numbers 004 through 138.\n\n \n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with SAAB Scania AB Service Bulletin SF340-34-056 dated 1 August 1988 or later revision.\n\n \n\nNote: Swedish Airworthiness Directive No. 1-027 refers.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Prior to 31 December 1988.\n\n \n\nBackground:  Water intrusion into the pitot systems may occur in heavy rain. This can result in ice blocking the systems leading to erroneous air data signals.\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, time-bound safety directive addressing a specific technical defect in a specific aircraft type. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating a safety modification to prevent pitot system icing."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific applicability (one aircraft model, defined serial number range)","Single requirement referencing an external technical document (Service Bulletin)","No defined terms section","No cross-references to other legislation beyond a note about a Swedish directive","Simple conditional structure: if you operate this specific aircraft, you must comply by this date","Total length is approximately 150 words"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive** — 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 specific SAAB SF340A aeroplanes (serial numbers 004 through 138) to fix a design flaw in the pitot systems. The pitot system measures airspeed, and water getting into it during heavy rain could freeze and block the system, causing the pilots to receive false airspeed readings — a serious flight safety hazard.\n\n**Who must act:**\nAnyone who owns or operates the affected SAAB SF340A aircraft models.\n\n**What they must do:**\nFollow the instructions in SAAB's official Service Bulletin SF340-34-056 (dated 1 August 1988 or later versions). This bulletin details how to modify or inspect the \"water traps\" — components designed to prevent water from entering the pitot tubes.\n\n**Deadline:**\nThe fix must be completed before 31 December 1988.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nErroneous airspeed data can lead to dangerous flight conditions, including stalls or loss of control. This directive prevents accidents by ensuring the pitot system works correctly in heavy rain conditions."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive imposes a specific, time-limited requirement on a defined set of aircraft to follow a manufacturer's service bulletin to mitigate pitot system water ingress. It does not broaden applicability beyond the listed serial numbers, nor does the text add additional regulatory powers or obligations beyond mandating the referenced service bulletin and a compliance date."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow and specific applicability (limited to SF340A serial numbers 004–138).","Reliance on an external technical document (SAAB Service Bulletin SF340-34-056) for the required work rather than listing technical steps in the AD itself.","Fixed compliance deadline that creates scheduling requirements.","Allowance for \"later revision\" of the service bulletin introduces a procedural flexibility point requiring implementers to check for revisions."],"plain_english_summary":"This AD mandates that owners/operators of SAAB SF340A aircraft serial numbers 004–138 carry out the modification/inspection required by SAAB Service Bulletin SF340‑34‑056 (or later revision) by 31 December 1988. It was issued to address water ingress and pitot freezing that can cause erroneous air data.\n\nThe AD is compulsory, fixes a firm deadline, delegates technical detail to the manufacturer’s bulletin (allowing later revisions), and does not specify costs, scheduling or enforcement mechanisms."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-11-pitot-systems-water-traps","history":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-11-pitot-systems-water-traps/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-11-pitot-systems-water-traps/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-11-pitot-systems-water-traps/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-11-pitot-systems-water-traps/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-11-pitot-systems-water-traps/documents"}}