{"id":"F2006B07203","name":"AD/SWSA226/61 - Rudder Trim Tab Rod Assembly","slug":"ad-swsa226-61-rudder-trim-tab-rod-assembly","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":48933,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B07203-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/SWSA226/61 - Rudder Trim Tab Rod Assembly","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)  \nFairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/SWSA226/61 Rudder Trim Tab Rod Assembly 2/91 TX\n\nApplicability: All model SA 26, SA226, and SA227 series aircraft.\n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA Emergency Airworthiness Directive 90-24-03, which requires the following:\n\nVisually inspect the rudder trim tab link assemblies (Part Numbers 27-42025-001 through 27-42025-009 as installed) as follows:\n\n    (1) Remove the fairing strip between the vertical fin and rudder.\n\n    (2) Check each connecting rod end for freedom of movement and corrosion around the bearing as follows:\n\n    (i) Move the rudder trim system from full left to full right deflection and check for any indications of corrosion or binding in the rod and fittings.\n\n    (ii) If necessary, remove the bolt connecting the actuator and each rod end and check the bearings for freedom of movement.\n\n    (iii) Check the bolts connecting the rudder actuator to each rod end to insure each bolt is oriented vertically.\n\n    (3) If either rod end is corroded, prior to further flight replace the affected rod end with a serviceable part.\n\n    (4) If the rudder trim mechanism is incorrectly installed, or if either rod end bearing is binding, prior to further flight replace the affected connecting rod and rod end assembly with serviceable parts.\n\n    (5) If corrosion or binding is not found, reinstall the fairing strip and return the aeroplane to service.\n\nNote 1: Fairchild Aircraft Service Notes 26-SN-061, 226-SN-162, and 227-SN-074 pertain to the subject of this AD.\n\nNote 2: Although not required by this AD, the inspections specified in this AD should be included in the regular aircraft maintenance program.\n\nCompliance: Within 15 hours time in service after 7 December 1990 or prior to 17 December 1990; whichever occurs first.\n\nBackground: This AD requires a one-time inspection of the rudder trim tab rod assemblies in all Fairchild SA26, SA226, and SA227 series aircraft. The FAA has been notified of three failures of these assemblies (Part Number 27-42025-001 through 27-42025-009) caused by improper installation in one instance, and corrosion in the other two instances. The actions specified in this AD will preclude failure of the rudder trim tab rod assemblies and the resultant aerodynamic vibration, structural deformation, and possible loss of control of the aircraft.\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive applies to all listed SA26/SA226/SA227 models and the specified part numbers, matching the FAA Emergency AD cited in the instrument. It does not broaden or narrow the affected aircraft or parts beyond the described FAA action."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability to a defined set of models and specific part numbers reduces legal scope but requires accurate parts identification.","Single, procedural one‑time inspection with stepwise technical actions (remove fairing, move trim, check bearings, verify bolt orientation).","Mandatory immediate corrective action (replace corroded/binding rod ends or incorrectly installed assemblies) before further flight increases operational impact.","Tight compliance deadline (within 15 hours time-in-service after 7 Dec 1990 or prior to 17 Dec 1990) creates scheduling pressure for operators.","Cross-reference to FAA Emergency AD and multiple Fairchild service notes requires operators/maintenance organisations to consult external technical documents.","Need for 'serviceable' replacement parts and potential downtime imposes direct cost and logistics burdens on operators."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires a one‑time visual inspection of specified rudder trim tab link assemblies (Part Numbers 27‑42025‑001 through 27‑42025‑009) on all Fairchild SA26, SA226 and SA227 aircraft, including removal of the fairing to check for corrosion, binding and bolt orientation, and replacement of any defective rod ends before further flight. Owners/operators must carry out and pay for the inspection and any repairs; the stated purpose is to prevent assembly failure that could cause vibration, structural deformation, or possible loss of control."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Airworthiness Directive maintains its original narrow scope — a targeted, one-time inspection requirement for specific mechanical components on specific aircraft models. The scope has not expanded beyond addressing the identified safety risk (rudder trim tab rod assembly failures)."},"complexity_factors":["Single, discrete safety requirement with clear sequential steps (numbered 1-5)","Only one defined term of note ('time in service' in the compliance section)","No cross-references to other legislation or complex conditional logic","Straightforward applicability statement (three specific aircraft model series)","Simple binary outcomes: if problem found → replace; if no problem → return to service","Single compliance deadline with clear 'whichever occurs first' alternative","Background section provides plain-language rationale for the safety action"],"plain_english_summary":"This mandatory CASA Airworthiness Directive requires operators of specified Fairchild SA26/SA226/SA227 aircraft to inspect rudder trim tab rod assemblies for corrosion, binding, and incorrect bolt orientation, removing fairings and checking bearings; defective parts must be replaced before flight. \n\nThe AD responds to three reported failures that risk vibration, structural damage, and loss of control. It was a one‑time inspection due by mid‑December 1990 or within 15 flight hours."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-swsa226-61-rudder-trim-tab-rod-assembly","history":"/api/acts/ad-swsa226-61-rudder-trim-tab-rod-assembly/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-swsa226-61-rudder-trim-tab-rod-assembly/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-swsa226-61-rudder-trim-tab-rod-assembly/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-swsa226-61-rudder-trim-tab-rod-assembly/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-swsa226-61-rudder-trim-tab-rod-assembly/documents"}}