{"id":"F2006B02614","name":"AD/B717/14 - Horizontal Stabiliser Hinge Fittings and Structure and Elevator Sectors","slug":"ad-b717-14-horizontal-stabiliser-hinge-fittings-and-structure-and-elevator-sectors","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":41930,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B02614-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/B717/14 - Horizontal Stabiliser Hinge Fittings and Structure and Elevator Sectors","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nAIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nBoeing 717 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/B717/14 Horizontal Stabiliser Hinge Fittings and\n\nStructure and Elevator Sectors\n\n  \n7/2004\n\nApplicability: Model 717-200 series aircraft, as listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 717-55-0003, dated 18 June 2002.\n\nRequirement: Inspect in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2004-08-02 Amdt 39-13571.\n\nCompliance: As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of 8 July 2004.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 8 July 2004.\n\nBackground: The FAA requires inspections to detect corrosion of the left and right hand horizontal stabiliser hinge fitting bolts, barrel nuts, and associated holes in the horizontal stabiliser structure, and the left and right hand elevator sector pinch bolts and associated holes; which undetected, could lead to loss of a hinge fitting and reduced structural integrity of the horizontal stabiliser.\n\n![](image.002.png)  \n\nDavid Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 26 May 2004\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 16 June 2004.\n\n  \n\nPage 1 of 1","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"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 AD maintains its original narrow scope. It addresses a specific safety issue (corrosion in horizontal stabiliser components) for a specific aircraft model (Boeing 717-200) through a specific inspection regime. There is no evidence of scope creep; the document is a standard, targeted airworthiness directive."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (1 page)","Only 4 defined structural elements (hinge fitting bolts, barrel nuts, elevator sector pinch bolts, associated holes)","Single cross-reference to external FAA document for technical requirements","No nested conditions or exceptions","Straightforward applicability (single aircraft model series)","Clear, single compliance pathway"],"plain_english_summary":"This directive requires owners/operators of Boeing 717-200s (per the referenced Boeing service bulletin) to inspect horizontal stabiliser hinge fittings and elevator sector pinch bolts for corrosion, using the procedures and deadlines in FAA AD 2004‑08‑02.\n\nUndetected corrosion could lead to hinge fitting failure, weakening the tail and risking loss of control; compliance was mandated from 8 July 2004."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD remains within the original, stated purpose of detecting and correcting corrosion on horizontal stabiliser hinge fittings and elevator sector components for the specified Boeing 717-200 aircraft. It does not broaden the subject matter beyond that safety focus; it mainly adopts the FAA's technical requirements and sets an Australian effective date."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-page AD with limited internal provisions","Applicability limited to one aircraft family (Boeing 717-200) and a specific Boeing service bulletin","Cross-references two external technical documents: FAA AD 2004-08-02 and Boeing Service Bulletin 717-55-0003","Compliance timing and detailed procedures are determined by the referenced FAA AD rather than spelled out here","No multiple nested exceptions or large interpretation section","Contains a single safety issue (corrosion of specified fittings) with straightforward remedial path (inspect and repair)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument changes (mechanical effect):**\n\n- Requires operators of Boeing 717-200 aeroplanes listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 717-55-0003 (dated 18 June 2002) to carry out specific inspections of the horizontal stabiliser hinge fittings, related structure, and elevator sectors.\n- The inspections must follow the technical instructions set out in FAA Airworthiness Directive 2004-08-02 (Amdt 39-13571). (Requirement; Applicability)\n- The compliance schedule and procedures are those in the referenced FAA AD, with an Australian effective date of 8 July 2004. (Compliance)\n\n**Who is affected:**\n\n- Owners and operators of Boeing 717-200 series aircraft that are listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 717-55-0003. (Applicability)\n- Maintenance organisations and licensed technicians who perform the inspections and any follow-up repairs specified by the FAA AD. (Requirement)\n\n**Why the rule exists (stated purpose) and the risk it addresses:**\n\n- The AD states that corrosion can develop on the left and right horizontal stabiliser hinge fitting bolts, barrel nuts, and their mating holes, and on the elevator sector pinch bolts and holes. If corrosion is not found and fixed, a hinge fitting could be lost, reducing the structural integrity of the horizontal stabiliser. The inspections are required to detect and correct that corrosion. (Background)\n\n**Who decides and who pays:**\n\n- The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate issued this AD, so CASA enforces the requirement; the technical content is drawn from the FAA AD and the Boeing service bulletin. (AD header; Requirement; Applicability)\n- Owners/operators pay the costs: labour for inspections, parts and labour for any repairs or replacements, potential aircraft downtime and associated operational disruption. (Implied by Requirement/Compliance)\n\n**Practical effects, incentives, and trade-offs:**\n\n- Behavioural change: affected operators must schedule and perform the inspections per the FAA AD timetable and follow its corrective actions if corrosion is found. This may require taking aircraft out of service for inspection and repair. (Requirement/Compliance)\n- Costs and timing: inspections impose direct maintenance costs and opportunity costs from aircraft downtime. If corrosion is detected, repair or replacement of fittings/structure adds parts and labour costs; there is also the risk of supply delays for parts. (Implementation implications of Requirement)\n- Compliance burden and implementation risk: the AD cross-references external documents (FAA AD 2004-08-02 and Boeing SB 717-55-0003). Operators must obtain and follow those documents; any later changes to the FAA AD or ambiguities between documents could require clarification from CASA. (Requirement/Compliance)\n- Market and competition effects: the AD is safety-prescriptive and applies uniformly to affected aircraft; it does not create a regulatory advantage for particular operators but may impose higher operating costs on smaller fleets that have less spare capacity to absorb downtime. (Effect on private choice and costs)\n\n**Other concrete implementation notes:**\n\n- The AD does not itself set inspection intervals or detailed procedures in full; it adopts those in FAA AD 2004-08-02, so the precise technical work and timing are found in that referenced document. (Requirement/Compliance)\n- The stated goal is to correct an unsafe condition (corrosion leading to loss of hinge fitting). That goal is achieved by mandated inspection and repair; the trade-off is maintenance cost and aircraft unavailability against the reduction in structural-failure risk. (Background; Requirement)\n"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-b717-14-horizontal-stabiliser-hinge-fittings-and-structure-and-elevator-sectors","history":"/api/acts/ad-b717-14-horizontal-stabiliser-hinge-fittings-and-structure-and-elevator-sectors/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b717-14-horizontal-stabiliser-hinge-fittings-and-structure-and-elevator-sectors/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b717-14-horizontal-stabiliser-hinge-fittings-and-structure-and-elevator-sectors/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b717-14-horizontal-stabiliser-hinge-fittings-and-structure-and-elevator-sectors/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b717-14-horizontal-stabiliser-hinge-fittings-and-structure-and-elevator-sectors/documents"}}