{"id":"F2006B02711","name":"AD/B727/187 - Forward and Aft Frames of Aft Cargo Door Opening","slug":"ad-b727-187-forward-and-aft-frames-of-aft-cargo-door-opening","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":42027,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B02711-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/B727/187 - Forward and Aft Frames of Aft Cargo Door Opening","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety 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\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 CASR 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\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nBoeing 727 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/B727/187 Forward and Aft Frames of Aft Cargo Door\n\nOpening\n\n  \n5/2004\n\nApplicability: Model 727, 727C, 727-100, and 727-100C series aircraft, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0225, dated 11 September 2003.\n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2004-03-30 Amdt 39-13474.\n\nIf any crack is found: Repair it before further flight in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA; or per data meeting the type certification basis of the aircraft approved by a Boeing Company Designated Engineering Representative (DER) who has been authorised by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make such findings.\n\nCompliance: As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of 13 May 2004.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 13 May 2004.\n\nBackground: The FAA requires certain inspections to detect cracks in the web, inner chord, and outer chord of the forward and aft frames of the aft cargo door opening. Such cracking could result in loss of the aft cargo door and rapid decompression of the aircraft.\n\n![Signature of David Villiers, Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.](image.002.png)  \n\nDavid Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 2 April 2004\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 21 April 2004.\n\n  \nPage 1 of 1","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"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope: addressing a specific structural fatigue issue (cracking in cargo door frames) on a specific aircraft type (Boeing 727 series). It does not expand beyond this safety-critical inspection and repair requirement."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-page document with clear structure (Applicability, Requirement, Compliance, Background)","Only 4 defined/model references (727, 727C, 727-100, 727-100C)","Single cross-reference to external FAA document (AD 2004-03-30) — technical details are 'incorporated by reference' rather than reproduced","Simple conditional logic: 'If crack found → repair before flight'","No nested exceptions or complex temporal calculations — compliance date is straightforward (13 May 2004)","Minimal regulatory jargon — most terms are explained in context or are standard aviation terms"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD mandates repetitive inspections of the rear cargo door frames on Boeing 727-series aircraft to detect cracks in the web, inner chord, or outer chord. It requires compliance with the inspection procedures in FAA AD 2004-03-30 and prohibits flight with a found crack until repaired.\n\nIt affects operators and maintenance crews for 727, 727C, 727-100, and 727-100C airplanes because an undetected failure of the cargo door could cause catastrophic blowout and rapid decompression; repairs need FAA Seattle or authorized Boeing engineer approval."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD adopts the FAA AD 2004-03-30 technical requirements for the specified Boeing 727 models and limits applicability to aircraft listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0225. The only stated change is a revised effective date (13 May 2004). It does not expand or narrow the set of inspected items or add new repair standards beyond the FAA/approved-derivative approvals, so the AD's operational scope remains aligned with the FAA requirement (Requirement; Applicability; Compliance)."},"complexity_factors":["Adopts an existing FAA AD as the technical requirement rather than setting bespoke technical standards (Requirement).","Repairs require approval from a named FAA office (Manager, Seattle ACO) or an authorised Boeing DER, introducing an approval step beyond onsite judgement (Requirement).","Applicability is limited to specific Boeing 727 variants listed in the referenced Boeing Alert Service Bulletin, requiring operators to confirm model inclusion (Applicability).","Compliance timing follows the FAA document with a revised effective date, creating a single compliance schedule to follow (Compliance).","Technical inspections target multiple structural elements (web, inner chord, outer chord) of frames, which may require specialised inspection skills and access procedures (Background).","Failure-to-complete consequences are operationally immediate (repair before further flight), creating potential aircraft downtime and logistical costs (Requirement/Compliance)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of the listed Boeing 727 series aircraft to carry out the inspections and actions set out in FAA AD 2004-03-30 to detect cracks around the forward and aft frames of the aft cargo door opening, and to repair any cracks before further flight (Requirement; Compliance). Aircraft operators pay for inspections and repairs. Repairs must be approved by the FAA Seattle ACO Manager or an authorised Boeing DER, so those authorities control acceptable repair methods (Requirement)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-b727-187-forward-and-aft-frames-of-aft-cargo-door-opening","history":"/api/acts/ad-b727-187-forward-and-aft-frames-of-aft-cargo-door-opening/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b727-187-forward-and-aft-frames-of-aft-cargo-door-opening/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b727-187-forward-and-aft-frames-of-aft-cargo-door-opening/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b727-187-forward-and-aft-frames-of-aft-cargo-door-opening/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b727-187-forward-and-aft-frames-of-aft-cargo-door-opening/documents"}}