{"id":"F2006B02669","name":"AD/B727/146 - Ageing Aircraft Structural Inspection Programme","slug":"ad-b727-146-ageing-aircraft-structural-inspection-programme","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":41985,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B02669-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/B727/146 - Ageing Aircraft Structural Inspection Programme","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/B727/146 Ageing Aircraft Structural Inspection Programme\n\n  \n5/95\n\nApplicability: All model B727 aircraft listed in Boeing Document D6-54860 “Aging Aircraft Structural Modification and Inspection Program \\- Model 727\" Revision G dated March 5, 1993.\n\nRequirement: Inspect in accordance with Boeing Document D6-54860 Revision G, Section 4 and Appendices A.4 and B.4.\n\nNote: FAA AD 94-07-08 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. Initially inspect before the latest of the following:\n\n    Before the initial inspection time specified in Boeing document D6-54860 Revision G, Section 4 and Appendices A.4 and B.4;\n\n    b. If a phase-in period has not been specified in a Service Bulletin, before 13 January 1996; or\n\n    c. If a phase-in period has been specified in a service bulletin, the initial inspection shall be completed before the date calculated by adding the phase- in period to 13 January 1996.\n\n2. Re-inspect at the intervals specified in Boeing Document D6-54860 Revision G, Section 4 and Appendices A.4 and B.4.\n\nNote: For the purposes of this AD, the “phase-in period” is defined as the allowable period to accomplish the initial inspection when the required threshold is imminent or has elapsed.\n\nBackground: The FAA sponsored Aging Fleet Conference was tasked with identifying and implementing procedures to ensure the continuing airworthiness of high time aircraft. This AD requires inspections that are part of that programme.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD implements the ageing-aircraft inspection programme described by Boeing D6-54860 Rev G and the FAA conference recommendation (Background). It does not expand applicability beyond the models listed in the Boeing document and confines requirements to inspections and re-inspections at the specified times (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance)."},"complexity_factors":["External normative reference: mandates compliance with Boeing Document D6-54860 Revision G rather than prescribing bespoke inspection detail (Requirement).","Multiple timing rules for initial compliance: three alternative triggers including service-bulletin phase-in calculations and a fixed fallback date (Compliance, items 1.a–1.c).","Ongoing obligations: requires repeated re-inspections at Boeing-specified intervals (Compliance, item 2).","Inter-agency cross-reference: notes and alignment with FAA AD 94-07-08 and FAA Aging Fleet Conference rationale (Note; Background), requiring operators to track multiple sources.","Operational impacts: implicit need for scheduling, access to Boeing documentation, potential repairs and aircraft downtime—burden falls on operators (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of the Boeing 727 models listed in Boeing Document D6-54860 Revision G to carry out an ageing-aircraft structural inspection programme exactly as set out in that Boeing document. Initial inspections must be done by the latest of the Boeing-specified threshold, a 13 January 1996 deadline, or a phase-in deadline; re-inspections must follow Boeing's intervals. Operators/owners pay for inspections and any repairs, and must schedule maintenance and possible downtime to meet CASA's AD (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original, narrow scope. It was always intended as a targeted safety intervention for ageing Boeing 727 structural integrity, and it remains precisely that. The incorporation of external Boeing documentation and FAA cross-references are standard aviation regulatory techniques, not scope creep."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple nested compliance deadlines with conditional logic (three alternative triggers for initial inspection)","External document incorporation by reference (Boeing D6-54860 Revision G) — the actual requirements are in a separate, proprietary technical document not reproduced in the AD","Cross-reference to foreign regulation (FAA AD 94-07-08) without reproducing its content","Defined term ('phase-in period') that itself requires interpretation","Dual inspection regime (initial + recurring) with different timing rules for each"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive requires all Australian Boeing 727 owners/operators and their maintenance organisations to follow Boeing’s inspection program (D6-54860 Rev G) to detect age-related cracks, corrosion and fatigue. It sets firm initial and recurring inspection deadlines (aligned with Boeing’s schedule and earlier FAA action) to prevent structural failure in ageing aircraft, harmonising Australia’s rules with the FAA’s safety initiative."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-b727-146-ageing-aircraft-structural-inspection-programme","history":"/api/acts/ad-b727-146-ageing-aircraft-structural-inspection-programme/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b727-146-ageing-aircraft-structural-inspection-programme/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b727-146-ageing-aircraft-structural-inspection-programme/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b727-146-ageing-aircraft-structural-inspection-programme/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b727-146-ageing-aircraft-structural-inspection-programme/documents"}}