{"id":"F2006B02858","name":"AD/B737/155 - Elevator Hinge Plates","slug":"ad-b737-155-elevator-hinge-plates","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":42200,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B02858-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 737 Series Aeroplanes","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/B737/155 Elevator Hinge Plates 8/2001","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/B737/155 Elevator Hinge Plates 8/2001","content":"# AD/B737/155 Elevator Hinge Plates 8/2001\n\nApplicability: Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series aircraft, with line numbers 1 through 84. Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2001-06-08 Amdt\n\n39-12155.\n\nNote: Boeing Service Bulletin 737-55-1067 refers.\n\nCompliance: Before the accumulation of 7,000 total flight cycles or within 90 days after 9 August 2001, whichever occurs later; thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight cycles, until accomplishment of optional terminating action specified in Part II of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-55-1067.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 9 August 2001.\n\nBackground: Fatigue cracking of the elevator hinge plates has been reported. Such cracking could lead to loss of attachment of the elevator to the horizontal stabiliser, and consequent reduced controllability of 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 26 June 2001\n\n![](image.001.png)","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD’s scope remains confined to the specified 737 models and line numbers and prescribes inspections and intervals referenced to FAA AD 2001-06-08 and Boeing Service Bulletin 737-55-1067. It does not broaden applicability beyond those aircraft or replace the FAA/Boeing technical requirements; it adds a national compliance deadline and recurring inspection cadence until the optional terminating action is completed."},"complexity_factors":["Limited applicability: specific to Boeing 737-600/-700/-800 aircraft with line numbers 1–84 (Applicability).","Cross-reference dependency: mandates compliance with FAA AD 2001-06-08 and Boeing Service Bulletin 737-55-1067 (Requirement) — requires operators to obtain and follow external documents.","Timing condition: initial compliance is 'before 7,000 total flight cycles or within 90 days after 9 August 2001, whichever occurs later' (Compliance) — introduces a conditional deadline.","Recurring inspections: repeats every 4,000 flight cycles until optional terminating action is done (Compliance) — creates ongoing compliance obligations and costs.","Optional terminating action: allows a one-off modification to stop recurring inspections (Compliance/Requirement) — creates a trade-off between recurring inspection costs and one-time modification expense.","Safety rationale tied to fatigue cracking risk: justification is specific and technical (Background) — focuses enforcement on a concrete failure mode.","Regulatory source and signature: issued by CASA delegate under CAR 1998 subregulation 39.1(1) (preamble/signature) — indicates national adoption of foreign/industry materials with delegated administrative authority."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of Boeing 737-600, -700 and -800 aircraft (line numbers 1–84) to inspect elevator hinge plates per FAA AD 2001-06-08 and Boeing Service Bulletin 737-55-1067. Inspections must be done before 7,000 total flight cycles or within 90 days of 9 August 2001, then every 4,000 cycles until an optional terminating modification is carried out. It addresses reported fatigue cracking that could detach the elevator; operators bear the inspection, maintenance and modification costs and scheduling burden."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard, narrow airworthiness directive addressing a specific mechanical defect in specific aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating elevator hinge plate inspections."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose instrument (approximately 250 words)","Only 3 defined applicability criteria (model series and line numbers)","Single cross-reference to external technical document (FAA AD 2001-06-08)","Simple conditional compliance structure (whichever occurs later)","No nested exceptions or elaborate defined terms section","Adopts technical requirements by reference rather than reproducing them in full"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires owners/operators of early-production Boeing 737-600/-700/-800 aircraft to inspect elevator hinge plates because fatigue cracking has been found that could lead to elevator separation and loss of control. It adopts FAA AD 2001-06-08, mandating initial and repeated inspections unless a permanent repair (Boeing Service Bulletin 737-55-1067 Part II) is installed to terminate the inspection requirement.\n\nThe rule makes the FAA requirements legally binding in Australia."},"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-b737-155-elevator-hinge-plates","history":"/api/acts/ad-b737-155-elevator-hinge-plates/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b737-155-elevator-hinge-plates/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b737-155-elevator-hinge-plates/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b737-155-elevator-hinge-plates/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b737-155-elevator-hinge-plates/documents"}}