{"id":"F2006B02623","name":"AD/B727/100 Amdt 3 - Elevator Rear Spar","slug":"ad-b727-100-amdt-3-elevator-rear-spar","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"repealed","isInForce":false,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":41939,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B02623-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"Repealed","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/B727/100 Amdt 3 - Elevator Rear Spar","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)  \nBoeing 727 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/B727/100\n\nAmdt 3\n\n  \nElevator Rear Spar 8/96\n\nApplicability: Model 727 series aircraft, line numbers 1 through 1832.\n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 96-06-05 Amdt 39-9542.\n\nCompliance: As specified in the Requirement Document with a revised effective date of 18 July 1996.\n\nBackground: Several cases of fatigue cracking were reported. The cracking was believed to be initiated by interference between the spar flange bend radii and the sharp edges on the shear plates mounted between the spar and the elevator tab hinges. Amendment 1 introduced SB 727-55-0087, which similarly covers the early design elevator rear spar as a result of recent Australian and overseas reports of cracking.\n\nAmendment 2 clarified the compliance for operators of certain aircraft.\n\nAmendment 3 is issued in response to a new FAA AD which adds new inspections to detect cracks and loose brackets of the elevator rear spar and a new terminating modification for the inspections. Reports were received of cracking in the spar radii at the tab hinge location of the elevator rear spar.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"model":"kimi-k2.5","source":"moonshot-batch","completionTokens":1393},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The directive has significantly expanded from its original scope. Initially addressing basic interference issues, Amendment 3 now adds new mandatory inspections for loose brackets and introduces a terminating modification (permanent fix), effectively evolving from a simple inspection requirement to a comprehensive airworthiness solution."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-reference to external technical document (FAA AD 96-06-05) requiring specialized aviation engineering knowledge","Technical terminology requiring domain expertise (spar flanges, shear plates, tab hinges, terminating modifications)","Multiple amendment history indicating expanding regulatory scope","Specific aircraft applicability limited by manufacturing line numbers (1-1832)"],"plain_english_summary":"This mandatory Airworthiness Directive requires operators of Boeing 727s (line numbers 1–1832) to follow FAA AD 96-06-05: inspect for and repair cracking and loose brackets in the elevator rear spar, and install a permanent modification that fixes the design flaw. \n\nIt addresses spar flange wear against shear-plate edges that can cause loss of pitch control; the AD was strengthened after additional cracking reports overseas."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-b727-100-amdt-3-elevator-rear-spar","history":"/api/acts/ad-b727-100-amdt-3-elevator-rear-spar/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b727-100-amdt-3-elevator-rear-spar/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b727-100-amdt-3-elevator-rear-spar/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b727-100-amdt-3-elevator-rear-spar/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b727-100-amdt-3-elevator-rear-spar/documents"}}