{"id":"F2006B06943","name":"AD/SF340/15 - Delamination of Composite Structure","slug":"ad-sf340-15-delamination-of-composite-structure","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":114838,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06943-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/SF340/15 - Delamination of Composite Structure","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/SF340/15 Delamination of Composite Structure 5/89\n\nDM\n\n \n\nApplicability: Model SF340A S/No 103 to 139 inclusive. Requirement:  Action in accordance with SAAB SB SF340-51-006.\n\nNote: Swedish AD 1-031 refers.\n\n \n\nCompliance:  At the next A-check/E-check after 29 March 1989 and thereafter at each heavy landing or flight in turbulence per AMM 05-50-00 until replaced or repaired in accordance with a Scheme approved by the Authority.\n\n \n\nBackground: The manufacturer has found that due to production difficulties and insufficient documentation some composite parts may be delaminated. Water intrusion may cause further delamination and affect structural integrity.\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 directive's scope, as stated in the source text, applies to SF340A S/N 103–139 and requires action per SAAB SB SF340-51-006 at the next A- or E-check after 29 March 1989 and thereafter after heavy landing or flight in turbulence until replaced or repaired under an Authority-approved Scheme. There is no indication in the text that this scope has been altered from the directive's stated intent. (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance; Background)"},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability limited to Model SF340A serial numbers 103–139 (Applicability)","Mandate to follow an external document: SAAB SB SF340-51-006 (Requirement)","Compliance timing tied to maintenance events (A-check/E-check) and to operational events (heavy landing or flight in turbulence per AMM 05-50-00) (Compliance)","Requirement that replacement/repair be done under a Scheme approved by the Authority introduces regulatory approval and discretion (Compliance)","Reference to external national AD (Swedish AD 1-031) may require cross-referencing but does not expand the internal requirements (Note)"],"plain_english_summary":"This directive forces owners/operators of SAAB SF340A aeroplanes (serials 103–139) to inspect—and, if needed, repair or replace—specified composite parts per SAAB SB SF340-51-006. Inspections are required at the next A- or E-check after 29 March 1989 and after defined heavy landings or turbulence, recurring until an Authority‑approved repair/replacement scheme is implemented.\n\nThe aim is to mitigate delamination (worsened by water intrusion) that could impair structural integrity; operators bear the inspection, repair, parts and downtime costs."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive addressing a specific manufacturing defect in a limited production run of aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of ensuring structural integrity of composite components."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 200 words)","Only 4 defined elements: applicability (specific serial numbers), requirement (reference to external bulletin), compliance timeline, and background","Single cross-reference to external technical document (SAAB SB SF340-51-006)","No nested conditions or exceptions — straightforward 'do this by this date, then keep doing it until fixed'","Plain language background explanation included"],"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:**\nIt requires owners and operators of specific Saab SF340A aircraft (serial numbers 103 to 139) to inspect certain composite parts for **delamination** — a fancy word for layers of material separating or peeling apart, like plywood coming unglued.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThe manufacturer discovered that some composite parts were poorly made or documented, causing them to delaminate. If water gets in, the damage gets worse and could weaken the aircraft's structure — potentially dangerous.\n\n**Who must act:**\nAnyone operating the affected Saab SF340A planes.\n\n**What they must do:**\n- Inspect the aircraft at the next **A-check or E-check** (routine maintenance inspections) after 29 March 1989\n- Re-inspect after any **heavy landing** or flight through **turbulence**\n- Keep doing this until the parts are replaced or repaired using a CASA-approved method\n\n**The bottom line:**\nThis is a safety fix to catch structural damage before it becomes dangerous. It references a manufacturer bulletin (SAAB SB SF340-51-006) and a Swedish equivalent directive for technical details."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-15-delamination-of-composite-structure","history":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-15-delamination-of-composite-structure/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-15-delamination-of-composite-structure/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-15-delamination-of-composite-structure/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-15-delamination-of-composite-structure/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-15-delamination-of-composite-structure/documents"}}