{"id":"F2010L00888","name":"AD/B717/4 Amdt 3 - Rudder Trim Control","slug":"ad-b717-4-amdt-3-rudder-trim-control","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":82841,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2010L00888-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Boeing 717 Series Aeroplanes","sectionType":"division","heading":"Boeing 717 Series Aeroplanes","content":"### Boeing 717 Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/B717/4 Amdt 3 | Rudder Trim Control | 7/2010 |\n| ---------------- | ------------------- | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | Model 717 series aircraft, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (ASB)717-27A0016 Revision 2, or later FAA approved revision.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |\n| -------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | Action in accordance with the requirements of Boeing ASB 717-27A0016 Revision 2 or later revision approved by the FAA as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC).Compliance with the requirements of Boeing Service Bulletin (SB) 717-27-0022 Revision 1, or later revision approved by the FAA as an AMOC, is terminating action for the repetitive lubrication requirement of ASB 717-27A0016 Revision 2.Note: FAA AD 2001-18-11 Amdt 39-12437 refers.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |\n| Compliance:    | As specified in Paragraph 1.E of Boeing ASB 717-27A0016 Revision 2; until accomplishment of Boeing SB 717-27-0022 Revision 1.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |\n|                | This Amendment becomes effective on 9 April 2010.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |\n| Background:    | The FAA received several reports of in-flight binding and/or stiff operation of the rudder trim control system on Model 717 series aircraft. Subsequent investigation found that approximately 60 rudder trim and load-feel actuators were manufactured with insufficient clearance between the actuator support seal and spring capsule assembly. Moisture condensing in the area of those components could freeze and cause stiff operation, binding, or jamming of the rudder trim control system and may cause jamming of the rudder.Amendment 1 was issued in response to a revision of the requirement document, which introduced additional aircraft. Additionally, the document requires an initial and repeat requirement to lubricate the actuator assembly.Amendment 2 allowed the incorporation of revision 2 of the service bulletin or a later revision, providing it has been approved by the FAA as an acceptable alternative method of compliance. There was no change to the compliance times. |\n\n|     | Amendment 3 is issued to introduce SB 717-27-0022 Revision 1 as an AMOC and terminating action for the repetitive lubrication requirement of ASB 717-27A0016 Revision 2. |\n| --- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\nMike Higgins  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n1 April 2010","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/B717/4 Amdt 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/B717/4 Amdt 3","content":"## AD/B717/4 Amdt 3","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Rudder Trim Control","sectionType":"part","heading":"Rudder Trim Control","content":"## Rudder Trim Control","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"7/2010","sectionType":"part","heading":"7/2010","content":"## 7/2010","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This amendment remains tightly focused on its original purpose: addressing the rudder trim control defect in Boeing 717 aircraft. Amendment 3 simply adds a permanent fix option (SB 717-27-0022) as terminating action for the repetitive lubrication requirement. This is a natural evolution of the remedy pathway, not an expansion of scope. The original intent was to ensure safe operation of the rudder trim system; this amendment provides a more efficient way to achieve that same outcome."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose document (approximately 300 words of substantive content)","Only 2 defined technical references (the Boeing service bulletins)","Simple conditional structure: do X until Y is accomplished, then stop doing X","Minimal cross-referencing (only references to FAA AD 2001-18-11 and the Boeing documents)","Clear, linear compliance pathway with explicit terminating action","No nested exceptions or complex definitional sections"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive mandates inspections, periodic lubrication, and ultimately a modification to fix a manufacturing defect in the rudder trim actuator on affected Boeing 717s. The flaw can allow moisture ingress and freezing that may stiffen, bind, or jam the rudder trim, posing a serious control risk.\n\nIt affects operators of the specified 717s until the permanent Boeing modification is installed, which ends the repeat-lubrication requirement."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original action required lubrication per the ASB. Subsequent amendments expanded applicability to additional aircraft and allowed later ASB revisions as acceptable, and Amendment 3 adds Boeing SB 717-27-0022 Rev 1 as an FAA‑approved AMOC and as a terminating action for the repetitive lubrication requirement. In short, the set of acceptable compliance methods and the list of affected aircraft have been broadened compared with the initial issuance."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-references to external documents: Boeing ASB 717-27A0016 Rev 2 and Boeing SB 717-27-0022 Rev 1 (requires checking latest FAA-approved revisions).","AMOC mechanism: FAA approval required for later revisions or alternative methods of compliance, introducing administrative discretion.","Dual-stage compliance: initial and repetitive lubrication requirements until terminating action is embodied.","Applicability tied to ASB's aircraft list (requires operators to confirm whether individual aircraft are included).","Interplay with prior FAA AD (FAA AD 2001-18-11) and earlier amendments that modified affected aircraft and acceptable documents.","Compliance timetable delegated to Paragraph 1.E of the ASB — operators must follow externally specified schedules and tasks.","Operational impact: ongoing maintenance actions create recurring cost and scheduling implications for operators and maintainers."],"plain_english_summary":"**What it changes, mechanically:** This AD requires operators of Boeing 717 series aeroplanes listed in Boeing ASB 717-27A0016 Revision 2 (or a later FAA‑approved revision) to carry out the ASB's lubrication actions for the rudder trim actuators. It also permits Boeing SB 717-27-0022 Revision 1 as an FAA‑approved alternative method of compliance that, when incorporated, ends the repetitive lubrication requirement. It affects aircraft operators and maintenance organisations who must bear compliance costs and maintenance burden to prevent rudder trim binding caused by frozen moisture in actuators."},"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"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-b717-4-amdt-3-rudder-trim-control","history":"/api/acts/ad-b717-4-amdt-3-rudder-trim-control/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b717-4-amdt-3-rudder-trim-control/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b717-4-amdt-3-rudder-trim-control/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b717-4-amdt-3-rudder-trim-control/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b717-4-amdt-3-rudder-trim-control/documents"}}