{"id":"F2006B02800","name":"AD/B727/96 Amdt 1 - Wing Rear Spar Terminal Fitting","slug":"ad-b727-96-amdt-1-wing-rear-spar-terminal-fitting","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":42142,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B02800-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/B727/96 Amdt 1 - Wing Rear Spar Terminal Fitting","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\nmeta-generator: Aspose.Words for .NET 22.10.0\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n \n\n![](image.001.png)  Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/B727/96\n\nAmdt 1\n\n\nWing Rear Spar Terminal Fitting 11/87\n\n \n\nApplicability: All models with S/Nos. specified in Boeing SB 727-57-103 R4.\n\n \n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with FAA AD 87-04-15 and Boeing SB 727-57-103 R4. Compliance:               As per Requirement documents.\n\nBackground: Cracks have been reported in 21 fittings on aircraft in service. Amdt 1 of this Directive references the latest FAA AD.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Amendment 1 updates the directive to reference the latest FAA airworthiness directive. The AD text states: \"Amdt 1 of this Directive references the latest FAA AD.\" The amendment therefore alters the AD by aligning it with the current FAA AD; the AD’s applicability (serial numbers listed in Boeing SB 727-57-103 R4) is retained in this text, but any substantive change to required inspections, intervals or corrective actions would come from the updated FAA AD and must be determined by comparing the referenced FAA document to the prior references."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-reference to external technical documents (FAA AD 87-04-15 and Boeing SB 727-57-103 R4) rather than containing full technical steps in the AD itself, requiring operators to consult multiple sources.","Applicability limited to specific serial numbers listed in the Boeing service bulletin, requiring operators to verify serial-number applicability.","Technical nature of inspections and possible repairs/replacements to structural wing fittings, which require specialised maintenance capability.","Operational and scheduling complexity if inspections reveal cracks (potential aircraft downtime and logistics of parts/repairs).","Limited information in the AD text about timing, inspection intervals or permissible alternatives, shifting detail and some regulatory interpretation to the referenced documents."],"plain_english_summary":"This AD makes compliance with FAA AD 87-04-15 and Boeing Service Bulletin 727-57-103 Revision 4 mandatory for Boeing 727s listed in that service bulletin, requiring the inspections and corrective actions it prescribes. It targets cracking in wing rear spar terminal fittings reported on 21 fittings in service.\n\nOwners/operators of affected aircraft must obtain and follow the referenced FAA and Boeing documents, bearing inspection, repair/replacement and downtime costs; Amendment 1 updates the AD to reference the latest FAA AD."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard airworthiness directive maintaining its original scope. Amendment 1 does not expand the applicability or requirements; it merely updates the reference to the current version of the FAA Airworthiness Directive. The scope remains limited to the specific structural defect (wing rear spar terminal fitting cracks) in the specified Boeing 727 aircraft serial numbers."},"complexity_factors":["Extremely short document (approximately 150 words of substantive content)","No defined terms section — relies entirely on external referenced documents","Simple structure: applicability, requirement, compliance, background","Single amendment (Amdt 1) with straightforward purpose (updating reference to latest FAA AD)","No conditional logic or nested exceptions — compliance is absolute and mandatory","Cross-references only to two external documents (FAA AD and Boeing SB), not to other legislation"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this is:** This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) that requires specific maintenance actions on certain aircraft.\n\n**What it does:** It orders inspections and repairs for **Boeing 727 series aeroplanes** to address cracks found in a critical structural component called the **\"wing rear spar terminal fitting.\"** This fitting is a metal connection point where the wing attaches to the fuselage — if it fails, the wing could separate from the aircraft.\n\n**Who it affects:** All Boeing 727 aircraft with specific serial numbers listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 727-57-103 Revision 4.\n\n**What must be done:** Aircraft operators must follow the exact instructions in two referenced documents:\n- **FAA AD 87-04-15** (the original US safety order)\n- **Boeing Service Bulletin 727-57-103 R4** (the manufacturer's repair instructions)\n\n**Why it matters:** Cracks were discovered in 21 fittings on aircraft already in service. This directive prevents catastrophic structural failure by ensuring affected aircraft are inspected and repaired before the cracks become dangerous. Amendment 1 simply updates the reference to use the latest version of the FAA's safety order.\n\n**Compliance:** Operators must complete the required actions according to the timelines specified in the referenced FAA document."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-b727-96-amdt-1-wing-rear-spar-terminal-fitting","history":"/api/acts/ad-b727-96-amdt-1-wing-rear-spar-terminal-fitting/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b727-96-amdt-1-wing-rear-spar-terminal-fitting/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b727-96-amdt-1-wing-rear-spar-terminal-fitting/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b727-96-amdt-1-wing-rear-spar-terminal-fitting/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b727-96-amdt-1-wing-rear-spar-terminal-fitting/documents"}}