{"id":"F2006B02870","name":"AD/B737/167 - Keel Beam Splices","slug":"ad-b737-167-keel-beam-splices","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":42212,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B02870-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/B737/167 Keel Beam Splices 12/2001","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/B737/167 Keel Beam Splices 12/2001","content":"# AD/B737/167 Keel Beam Splices 12/2001\n\nApplicability: Model 737-600 and \\-700 series aircraft, line numbers 1 through 908, and Model 737-\n\n800 series aircraft, line numbers 1 through 455.\n\nRequirement: Inspect in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2001-17-02 Amdt 39-12393.\n\nIf any corrosion or cracking is found during the required inspection, before further flight, repair or replace the splice plates and bolts with new, improved parts; per data meeting the type certification basis of the aircraft approved by a Boeing Company Designated Engineering Representative (DER), who has been authorised to make such findings.\n\nNote: Boeing Document D626A001, Task Number 53-210-00, dated June 2001, refers.\n\nCompliance: As specified in the Requirement document with a revised effective date of 29 November 2001.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 29 November 2001.\n\nBackground: The FAA received a report of severe corrosion on a keel beam splice on two Model 737-700 aircraft that had been in service for 22 months. This Directive requires repetitive inspections to detect and correct corrosion or cracking of the keel beam splices. Failure of the keel beam could result in failure of the forward fuselage of the aircraft.\n\n![Signature of Eugene Paul Holzapfel, Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.](image.002.png)  \n\nEugene Paul Holzapfel\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 19 October 2001\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 7 November 2001.","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope — addressing a specific structural defect in specific aircraft models. It has not expanded beyond its original safety purpose of preventing keel beam splice failures."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose directive with clear applicability criteria","Only 4 defined/model references (specific aircraft line numbers)","Single cross-reference to FAA AD 2001-17-02 and Boeing Document D626A001","Simple conditional logic: 'If corrosion/cracking found → repair before flight'","No nested exceptions or complex procedural requirements","Straightforward compliance timeline (effective date specified, repetitive inspections required per referenced document)"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a **safety order for specific Boeing 737 aircraft** that mandates urgent inspections of a critical structural component called the \"keel beam splice\" — essentially the backbone joint that helps hold the front of the plane together.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Requires owners/operators of certain Boeing 737-600, -700, and -800 series planes (specific early production models) to conduct repeated inspections for **corrosion (rust)** and **cracking** in the keel beam splices\n- If damage is found, the aircraft **cannot fly again** until repairs are made using new, improved parts approved by Boeing's authorised engineers\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Airlines and operators of specific Boeing 737 models with early production line numbers (737-600/-700: lines 1–908; 737-800: lines 1–455)\n- Maintenance crews responsible for airframe inspections\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThe FAA discovered severe rust on relatively new aircraft (only 22 months old). If the keel beam fails, the **entire front fuselage could collapse** — a catastrophic safety risk. This directive prevents that by catching problems before they become dangerous.\n\n**Key compliance points:**\n- Inspections must follow the technical requirements of the referenced FAA directive (AD 2001-17-02)\n- Any corrosion or cracking found = immediate grounding until fixed\n- Repairs must use improved parts approved by Boeing's designated engineering representatives"},"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Directive adopts the FAA inspection requirements and applies them to the specified Australian-registered 737 line numbers. The text does not indicate any expansion or narrowing of applicability beyond those line-number limits; the only explicit procedural change noted is a revised effective date of 29 November 2001. All inspection and repair actions are required as stated in the FAA AD and under CASA authority."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-reference to FAA AD 2001-17-02 (Amdt 39-12393) for technical inspection requirements — increases dependency on external document and its procedures (Requirement).","Applicability limited by model and line numbers (Model 737-600/-700 lines 1–908; 737-800 lines 1–455) — requires operators to determine serial/line applicability (Applicability).","Immediate corrective action required 'before further flight' if corrosion or cracking is found — creates operational disruption and potential grounding costs (Requirement).","Repairs/replacements must use 'new, improved parts' and data meeting the aircraft's type certification basis approved by a Boeing DER — adds certification/administrative steps and reliance on DER approvals (Requirement).","Directive mandates repetitive inspections to detect progressive corrosion/cracking — implies ongoing maintenance burden and scheduling obligations (Background/Requirement).","Revised effective date specified (29 November 2001) — procedural timing constraint that affects compliance planning (Compliance).","Enforcement under CAR 1998 subreg 39.1(1) via CASA delegate signature — confers regulatory force and administrative discretion over corrective measures (preamble/signature).","Technical note refers to Boeing Document D626A001 Task Number 53-210-00 — additional manufacturer guidance may be required to implement inspections (Requirement/Note)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Directive requires operators of specified Boeing 737-600/ -700 (line numbers 1–908) and 737-800 (line numbers 1–455) aeroplanes to carry out the inspections set out in FAA AD 2001-17-02 and to repair or replace keel-beam splice plates and bolts with improved parts before further flight if corrosion or cracking is found. It adopts FAA procedures and requires repairs approved by a Boeing Designated Engineering Representative. Operators bear inspection and repair costs and must ground affected aircraft until fixes are completed."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-b737-167-keel-beam-splices","history":"/api/acts/ad-b737-167-keel-beam-splices/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b737-167-keel-beam-splices/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b737-167-keel-beam-splices/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b737-167-keel-beam-splices/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b737-167-keel-beam-splices/documents"}}