{"id":"F2006B02856","name":"AD/B737/153 Amdt 1 - Elevator Tab Control Rod Jam Nut","slug":"ad-b737-153-amdt-1-elevator-tab-control-rod-jam-nut","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":42198,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B02856-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/B737/153 Amdt 1 - Elevator Tab Control Rod Jam Nut","content":"![](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 revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/153 and issues the following 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 737 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/B737/153\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \nElevator Tab Control Rod Jam Nut 13/2003\n\nApplicability: Boeing 737-600, \\-700, and \\-800 series aircraft, line numbers 1 through 788 inclusive,\n\n790 through 814 inclusive, 816, 819, 821 and 823.\n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with the requirements of FAA AD 2001-09-51.\n\nNote 1: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1245, dated 23 April 2001 refers. While this Alert Service Bulletin does not specify that Model 737-700C series aircraft are subject to the actions in the Alert Service Bulletin, the list of affected line numbers in the applicability of this AD includes the line numbers of certain 737-700C series aircraft.\n\nCompliance: As specified in the requirement document, with a revised effective date of 30 April 2001. The initial inspection is to be carried out within 10 days after 30 April 2001.\n\nCompliance with AD/B737/210 (FAA AD 2003-03-22) constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this Directive.\n\nThe compliance times remain unchanged by this issue\n\nThis Amendment becomes effective on 25 December 2003.\n\nBackground: The FAA received reports that operators had found problems with the elevator tab control rods on certain model 737-700 and \\-800 series aircraft. One operator found that jam nuts had been installed improperly, and others found damage attributed to inadequately torqued jam nuts. Damage to the tab control rod could cause flutter of the tab, and subsequent loss of controllability of the aircraft.\n\nAs 737-600 and -700C aircraft have the same elevator tab control rods as the 737-700 and \\-800 aircraft, \\-600 and \\-700C models may be subject to the same unsafe condition suffered by -700 and -800 models.\n\nBoeing 737 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/B737/153 Amdt 1 (continued)\n\nAmendment 1 is issued to introduce terminating action for the requirements of this Directive.\n\nThe original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 30 April 2001.\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 13 November 2003\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 3 December 2003.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Amendment 1 modifies the original AD by introducing a terminating action: compliance with AD/B737/210 (FAA AD 2003-03-22) constitutes terminating action for this Directive. The amendment maintains the original compliance times but clarifies applicability to certain 737-600 and 700C line numbers that share the same elevator tab control rod, and reissues the directive (original effective date 30 April 2001; this amendment effective 25 December 2003)."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-reference to FAA AD 2001-09-51 and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1245 (external normative documents required to understand mandatory actions)","Specific applicability by aircraft model and discrete line-number ranges (precision in scope increases administrative complexity)","Terminating action linked to compliance with a later AD (AD/B737/210), requiring operators to track interaction between multiple directives","Short initial compliance window (inspection within 10 days after 30 April 2001) raising logistical pressure on operators","Amendment and revocation history (original AD revoked and reissued with Amendment 1) creating record-keeping and version-control needs","Technical safety risk (jam-nut installation/torque issues leading to rod damage and potential tab flutter) requires both inspection and possible corrective maintenance","Regulatory enforcement by CASA delegate under CASR subregulation 39.1(1) — administrative discretion in issuing/directing corrective action"],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive orders operators of specified Boeing 737-600, -700 and -800 line-numbered aircraft to inspect and, if necessary, correct elevator tab control rod jam nuts following FAA AD 2001-09-51; initial inspections were required within 10 days after 30 April 2001 and compliance with AD/B737/210 terminates these requirements. CASA (via its delegate) enforces the directive; operators pay for inspections, repairs and record-keeping. The measure responds to reports of improperly installed or under-torqued jam nuts that can damage the control rod and risk tab flutter and loss of controllability."},"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":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This amendment maintains the original scope of addressing elevator tab control rod jam nut defects on specific Boeing 737 variants. The amendment introduces terminating action (allowing operators to cease compliance if they meet a newer standard) but does not expand the aircraft types covered or the nature of the safety issue addressed. The inclusion of 737-700C series aircraft was already contemplated in the original directive's background rationale."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose document (approximately 400 words)","Only 4 defined structural sections (Applicability, Requirement, Compliance, Background)","Single cross-reference to FAA AD 2001-09-51 and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1245","One conditional exception: compliance with AD/B737/210 constitutes terminating action","Specific but limited applicability list (line numbers rather than broad model categories)","Clear, sequential compliance timeline with explicit effective dates"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD revokes and replaces AD/B737/153 (Amendment 1) to require inspection and repair of elevator tab control-rod jam nuts on certain Boeing 737-600/-700/-800 series aircraft. Improper or loose jam nuts have damaged control rods and can cause elevator-tab flutter, risking loss of control.\n\nIt affects operators of specified line-numbered 737s (including some 700C cargo conversions), adds a terminating action if later compliance is met, and enforces FAA inspection/repair instructions."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-b737-153-amdt-1-elevator-tab-control-rod-jam-nut","history":"/api/acts/ad-b737-153-amdt-1-elevator-tab-control-rod-jam-nut/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b737-153-amdt-1-elevator-tab-control-rod-jam-nut/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b737-153-amdt-1-elevator-tab-control-rod-jam-nut/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b737-153-amdt-1-elevator-tab-control-rod-jam-nut/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b737-153-amdt-1-elevator-tab-control-rod-jam-nut/documents"}}