{"id":"F2006B02703","name":"AD/B727/179 - Main Deck Cargo Door Hinge, Cargo Door System, and Cargo Barrier - 3","slug":"ad-b727-179-main-deck-cargo-door-hinge-cargo-door-system-and-cargo-barrier-3","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":42019,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B02703-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/B727/179 - Main Deck Cargo Door Hinge, Cargo Door System, and Cargo Barrier - 3","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)  \n\nAIRWORTHINESS 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\n\nAD/B727/179 Main Deck Cargo Door Hinge, Cargo Door System,\n\nand Cargo Barrier \\- 3\n\n  \n11/2002\n\nApplicability: Model 727 series aircraft that have been converted from a passenger to a cargo- carrying (“freighter”) configuration in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00015AT.\n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2002-16-21 Amdt 39-12860.\n\nNote: Accomplishment of the actions in accordance with Kitty Hawk Service Bulletin KHA 727-004 Revision B, dated 3 March 1999, constitutes compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c) of the Requirement document.\n\nCompliance: As specified in the Requirement document with a revised effective date of 31 October 2002.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 31 October 2002.\n\nBackground: The FAA has determined that the main deck cargo door hinge installed on conversion from a passenger carrying to a cargo carrying aircraft configuration, is not fail- safe; that certain main deck cargo door control systems do not provide an adequate level of safety; and that the main deck cargo barrier is not structurally adequate during an emergency landing.\n\n![Signature of David Villiers, Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.](image.002.jpeg)  \n\nDavid Alan Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 11 September 2002\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 9 October 2002.\n\n  \nPage 1 of 1","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope. It targets a specific safety issue (cargo door and barrier deficiencies) in a specific aircraft type (Boeing 727 freighter conversions under STC ST00015AT). The document does not expand beyond this original purpose; it is a routine amendment (indicated by the \"-3\" suffix) updating compliance dates and referencing updated external technical standards."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-page document with straightforward structure","Only 4 defined/technical references (FAA AD 2002-16-21, Kitty Hawk Service Bulletin KHA 727-004, STC ST00015AT, and the aircraft model)","Single applicability criterion (specific STC conversion)","Compliance achieved by reference to external technical documents rather than detailed instructions within the AD itself","No nested exceptions or conditional logic — simple 'do this by this date' structure","Cross-references only to external FAA directive and manufacturer service bulletin"],"plain_english_summary":"The Civil Aviation Safety Authority requires owners/operators of Boeing 727 freighters converted under ST00015AT to correct three serious cargo-door and barrier defects by 31 October 2002. Compliance must follow FAA Airworthiness Directive 2002-16-21 or Kitty Hawk Service Bulletin KHA 727-004 Rev B.\n\nThe fixes address a non–fail-safe main deck cargo door hinge, inadequate door control systems, and a weakened cargo barrier — faults that could cause in-flight decompression or allow cargo to breach the cockpit and endanger crew."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD's scope is limited to Boeing 727 series aircraft converted to cargo configuration under STC ST00015AT (Applicability). The instrument adopts the FAA's identified unsafe condition for the main‑deck cargo door hinge, door control systems and cargo barrier and requires compliance with FAA AD 2002‑16‑21 (Requirement; Background). The text provides no indication that the scope was broadened or narrowed from an original intent beyond setting a revised effective date (Compliance)."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-reference to an external regulator's mandate (FAA AD 2002‑16‑21 Amdt 39‑12860) — compliance depends on following another authority's technical requirements (Requirement).","Alternative compliance path via a manufacturer/service bulletin (Kitty Hawk Service Bulletin KHA 727‑004 Rev B) for certain paragraphs — creates conditional compliance options (Note).","Narrow applicability tied to a particular conversion approval (STC ST00015AT) — only those converted aircraft are affected (Applicability).","Administrative discretion in issuance language: CASA delegate requires action ‘the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition’ — indicates regulator judgment in prescribing corrective action (Introductory paragraph referencing subregulation 39.1(1)).","Specified compliance timing and an explicit effective date (revised effective date of 31 October 2002) — creates scheduling and operational constraints for operators (Compliance).","Technical and structural nature of the required work (hinge, control systems, cargo barrier) implies need for specialised maintenance, parts and engineering resources — raises practical implementation complexity (Requirement; Background)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of Boeing 727 aircraft converted to freighters under Supplemental Type Certificate ST00015AT to carry out the inspections, modifications and repairs specified in FAA AD 2002‑16‑21 (with specified compliance via Kitty Hawk Service Bulletin KHA 727‑004 Rev B where noted). CASA’s delegate enforces the AD and set an effective date. It responds to FAA findings that the main‑deck cargo door hinge, some door control systems and the cargo barrier lack adequate safety; affected operators therefore bear inspection, repair and downtime costs."},"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-b727-179-main-deck-cargo-door-hinge-cargo-door-system-and-cargo-barrier-3","history":"/api/acts/ad-b727-179-main-deck-cargo-door-hinge-cargo-door-system-and-cargo-barrier-3/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b727-179-main-deck-cargo-door-hinge-cargo-door-system-and-cargo-barrier-3/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b727-179-main-deck-cargo-door-hinge-cargo-door-system-and-cargo-barrier-3/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b727-179-main-deck-cargo-door-hinge-cargo-door-system-and-cargo-barrier-3/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b727-179-main-deck-cargo-door-hinge-cargo-door-system-and-cargo-barrier-3/documents"}}