{"id":"F2006B07085","name":"AD/SM-260/8A - Control Surface Hinge Bracket Attaching Holes - Inspection","slug":"ad-sm-260-8a-control-surface-hinge-bracket-attaching-holes-inspection","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":48847,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B07085-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/SM-260/8A - Control Surface Hinge Bracket Attaching Holes - Inspection","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nSIAI Marchetti 260 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/SM-260/8A Control Surface Hinge Bracket Attaching Holes - Inspection\n\n  \n11/76\n\nApplicability: All models F260 and F260B with S/Nos. 101 to 125, 2-26 to 2-61, 3-76, 3-77, 3-78,\n\n3-80, 3-84, 502 10-09 and 20-01.\n\nRequirement: 1. Inspect all Control Surface Hinge Bracket Attachments in accordance with SIAI Marchetti SB No. 260B16.\n\n2. Modify all Control Surface Hinge Bracket Attachments in accordance with the applicable SIAI Marchetti Service Bulletins (See note).\n\nNote: SIAI Marchetti SBs Nos. 260B21 to 260B27 detail modifications to be incorporated at the specific attachments.\n\nCompliance: For para 1 \\- Within 100 hours time in service after 31 August 1976 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 200 hours time in service until modified.\n\nFor para 2 \\- Within 1000 hours time in service after 31 December 1976.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive’s scope is as set out in the text: it applies to the listed F260 and F260B serial numbers and prescribes inspection and modification actions with specified compliance times. There is no change of scope indicated within the supplied instrument text; the AD defines the affected fleet, the required work, and the compliance schedule (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance; Note)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability limited to specific models and an explicit list of serial numbers (Applicability).","Two distinct required actions (inspection then modification) referencing external manufacturer service bulletins for technical detail (Requirement; Note).","Different compliance windows and recurring inspection intervals until modification is completed (Compliance for para 1 and para 2).","Dependence on external documents (SIAI Marchetti SB Nos. 260B16 and 260B21–260B27) for procedural specifics increases implementation steps for operators (Requirement; Note).","Deadlines tied to hours-in-service and calendar reference dates (31 August 1976; 31 December 1976), requiring operators to track flight hours against those anchors (Compliance)."],"plain_english_summary":"What this instrument does (mechanically)\n\n- It applies to SIAI Marchetti 260 Series aeroplanes, models F260 and F260B, limited to the specific serial numbers listed under \"Applicability\" (see Applicability). \n- It mandates two actions: 1) an inspection of all control surface hinge bracket attachments following SIAI Marchetti Service Bulletin (SB) No. 260B16, and 2) modification of those hinge bracket attachments in accordance with the applicable SIAI Marchetti Service Bulletins (SB Nos. 260B21 to 260B27) (see Requirement and Note).\n- It sets compliance times: the inspections must be done within 100 hours time in service after 31 August 1976 and then repeated at intervals not exceeding 200 hours time in service until the required modifications are completed (see Compliance for para 1). The modifications must be completed within 1000 hours time in service after 31 December 1976 (see Compliance for para 2).\n\nWho this affects and who pays\n\n- Registered owners and operators of the identified F260 and F260B aeroplanes are the parties required to carry out the inspections and modifications (Applicability; Requirement). They will bear the direct costs of performing inspections and of implementing the specified modifications, including parts, labour and aircraft downtime.\n\nWhy the instrument exists (official rationale and how that maps to practical effects)\n\n- The AD’s title and the fact it prescribes inspection and modification work aimed at hinge bracket attaching holes indicate the measure targets the condition of control surface hinge bracket attachments. The AD implements that aim by referencing an inspection SB (260B16) and modification SBs (260B21–260B27) as the technical methods for inspection and repair (Requirement; Note).\n\nTrade-offs, incentives and implementation mechanics\n\n- Compliance timing: Operators must choose between repeated inspections (every 200 hours) and completing the modification (which stops the recurring inspections requirement). The inspection schedule (100 hours to first inspection, then every 200 hours until modification) creates recurring maintenance tasks until the modification deadline is met (Compliance for para 1). The modification deadline (1000 hours after 31 December 1976) sets a longer-term single compliance obligation (Compliance for para 2).\n- Costs versus frequency: Implementing the modification likely requires a one‑off expense and aircraft downtime. Electing to defer modification imposes recurring inspection costs and operational scheduling constraints (Requirement; Compliance). The AD does not quantify costs or prescribe who performs the work beyond reference to the manufacturer SBs.\n- Information and procedural dependence: The AD requires actions “in accordance with” specified SIAI Marchetti service bulletins (260B16, 260B21–260B27). Operators must obtain and follow those SBs to know the exact inspection methods and modification scope (Requirement; Note). That creates dependence on external technical documents for execution and record-keeping.\n- Decision and enforcement: The directive is an instrument that requires operators to perform specified maintenance actions within stated hours-in-service windows (Compliance). The operator decides when within the compliance window to act; the regulator’s requirement fixes the outer limits.\n\nCompliance burden and practical effects on private choice\n\n- Administrative/operational burden: Operators must schedule and document recurring inspections until modification is completed, and arrange for the modification work by the specified deadline (Compliance). \n- Business effects: For businesses operating affected aircraft, these maintenance obligations create predictable maintenance scheduling and cost obligations tied to the aircraft’s hours-in-service. They may affect availability of aircraft for revenue service while inspections or modifications are performed.\n\nConcrete mechanics cited\n\n- Applicability lists the affected models and serial numbers (Applicability).\n- Requirement para 1 requires inspection per SIAI Marchetti SB No. 260B16 (Requirement para 1).\n- Requirement para 2 requires modification per applicable SIAI Marchetti SBs (260B21–260B27) (Requirement para 2; Note).\n- Compliance timing: inspection within 100 hours after 31 August 1976 and every 200 hours thereafter until modification (Compliance for para 1); modification within 1000 hours after 31 December 1976 (Compliance for para 2)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a narrow, targeted airworthiness directive addressing a specific structural defect in a limited fleet of aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of ensuring the airworthiness of control surface hinge brackets on affected SIAI Marchetti 260 aircraft."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose directive (approximately 150 words)","Limited applicability: only specific aircraft models with enumerated serial numbers","Two distinct compliance paths (inspection vs modification) with different deadlines","Cross-references to 8 external manufacturer service bulletins (SB 260B16, plus SBs 260B21-260B27)","Time-based compliance measured in 'hours time in service' rather than calendar dates for ongoing requirements","No defined terms section or interpretation provisions"],"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:**\nThis directive requires owners and operators of certain SIAI Marchetti 260 series aeroplanes (specific models F260 and F260B with particular serial numbers) to:\n\n- **Inspect** all control surface hinge bracket attaching holes (the points where moving parts like ailerons, elevators, or rudders connect to the aircraft structure) following a specific manufacturer's service bulletin (SB 260B16).\n- **Modify** these hinge bracket attachments according to additional service bulletins (SBs 260B21 through 260B27), with each bulletin detailing modifications for specific attachment points.\n\n**Who it affects:**\nOwners and operators of approximately 60-70 specific SIAI Marchetti 260 aircraft (identified by serial numbers ranging from 101 to 125, 2-26 to 2-61, and several others). These are Italian-made light aircraft popular for training and aerobatics.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nControl surface hinge brackets are critical safety components. If they fail, the pilot could lose control of the aircraft. This AD was issued because inspections likely revealed cracking, wear, or structural weakness in these attachment points. The directive creates a two-stage safety net: frequent inspections to catch problems early, followed by permanent modifications to eliminate the defect.\n\n**Deadlines:**\n- Inspections must start by 100 flight hours after 31 August 1976, then repeat every 200 flight hours until modifications are complete.\n- All modifications must be finished by 1,000 flight hours after 31 December 1976."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-sm-260-8a-control-surface-hinge-bracket-attaching-holes-inspection","history":"/api/acts/ad-sm-260-8a-control-surface-hinge-bracket-attaching-holes-inspection/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-sm-260-8a-control-surface-hinge-bracket-attaching-holes-inspection/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-sm-260-8a-control-surface-hinge-bracket-attaching-holes-inspection/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-sm-260-8a-control-surface-hinge-bracket-attaching-holes-inspection/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-sm-260-8a-control-surface-hinge-bracket-attaching-holes-inspection/documents"}}