{"id":"F2006B02699","name":"AD/B727/175 - Wing Rear Spar Upper Chord","slug":"ad-b727-175-wing-rear-spar-upper-chord","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":42015,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B02699-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","sectionType":"part","heading":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","content":"# AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\n![](image.001.png)  \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 CAR 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\nBoeing 727 Series Aeroplanes","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/B727/175 Wing Rear Spar Upper Chord 5","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/B727/175 Wing Rear Spar Upper Chord 5/2002","content":"# AD/B727/175 Wing Rear Spar Upper Chord 5/2002\n\nApplicability: All Model 727 series aircraft.\n\nRequirement: Inspect in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2002-04-06 Amdt 39-12663.\n\nNote: Boeing Service Bulletin 727-57-0184 refers.\n\nCompliance: As specified in the Requirement document with a revised effective date of 16 May 2002.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 16 May 2002.\n\nBackground: The FAA requires certain inspections in order to detect cracking of the upper chord of the rear spar of the wing. Such cracking could result in fuel leaking through the cracks, reduced structural integrity of the wing, and possible separation of the wing from the aircraft.\n\n![Signature of David Villiers, Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.](image.002.png)  \n\nDavid Alan Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 22 March 2002\n\n![](image.001.png)","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD adopts the FAA requirement for inspections of the rear spar upper chord and applies to all Model 727 aircraft (Applicability; Requirement). The instrument does not expand or narrow the actions required by the FAA AD; it sets an Australian effective date of 16 May 2002 (Compliance)."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-references to external technical documents (FAA AD 2002-04-06 and Boeing Service Bulletin 727-57-0184) require operators to consult other texts for procedural detail (Requirement).","Technical inspection and corrective actions are not reproduced in the AD, so qualified maintenance/engineering judgment is needed to implement the work (Requirement).","Broad applicability to all Model 727 series aircraft increases the number of operators and fleets affected (Applicability).","Compliance timing is governed by the referenced FAA AD with a revised effective date, creating scheduling and record-keeping obligations (Compliance).","Enforcement is by a CASA delegate under CAR 1998 subregulation 39.1(1), linking the AD to delegated regulatory discretion (preamble/signature).","Potential follow-on maintenance/parts/grounding costs if cracks are found create logistical complexity for operators (Background/Requirement)."],"plain_english_summary":"This directive requires owners/operators of all Boeing 727 series aircraft to inspect the wing rear spar upper chord for cracking, following the technical procedures in FAA AD 2002-04-06 (see Boeing Service Bulletin 727-57-0184). Operators pay for inspections and any repairs; the CASA delegate enforces compliance and set the effective date as 16 May 2002 because cracking can cause fuel leaks, reduced wing strength, or possible wing separation."},"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 is a standard, narrow airworthiness directive focused on a specific structural inspection for a specific aircraft type. It has not expanded beyond its original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 300 words)","Only 4 operative sections: Applicability, Requirement, Compliance, and Background","No defined terms section — relies entirely on external technical documents (FAA AD and Boeing Service Bulletin)","Single, unambiguous requirement: 'inspect in accordance with...'","No conditional logic, exceptions, or nested provisions","Cross-references only to external technical standards, not to other legislation"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD mandates inspections of the wing rear spar upper chord on all Boeing 727s, requiring operators and maintenance organisations to follow FAA AD 2002-04-06 and Boeing Service Bulletin 727-57-0184. \n\nEffective 16 May 2002, compliance is mandatory for anyone operating 727s in Australia because cracks in this chord can cause fuel leaks, weaken the wing structure, and risk wing separation."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-b727-175-wing-rear-spar-upper-chord","history":"/api/acts/ad-b727-175-wing-rear-spar-upper-chord/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b727-175-wing-rear-spar-upper-chord/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b727-175-wing-rear-spar-upper-chord/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b727-175-wing-rear-spar-upper-chord/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b727-175-wing-rear-spar-upper-chord/documents"}}