{"id":"F2006B02875","name":"AD/B737/171 - Elevator Hinge Plates","slug":"ad-b737-171-elevator-hinge-plates","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":42217,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B02875-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/B737/171 Elevator Hinge Plates 2/2002","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/B737/171 Elevator Hinge Plates 2/2002","content":"# AD/B737/171 Elevator Hinge Plates 2/2002\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 2001-23-01 Amdt\n\n39-12498.\n\nNote: Boeing Service Bulletin 737-55-1067 refers.\n\nCompliance: As specified in the requirement document, with a revised effective date of 21 February 2002.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 21 February 2002.\n\nBackground: The FAA received a report that, during flight testing of Model 737-600, \\-700, and\n\n\\-800 series aircraft, the elevator hinge plates at elevator hinges 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 experienced higher than expected loads due to buffeting by the spoiler. The higher loads reduce the service life of the elevator hinge plates, and a reduced service life could result in fatigue cracking and lead to loss of attachment of the elevator to the horizontal stabiliser.\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 20 December 2001\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 30 January 2002.","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD adopts the FAA's technical requirements for the identified 737 models and line numbers and only revises the effective date to 21 February 2002. It does not expand or narrow the set of affected aircraft or the corrective actions prescribed in the FAA document; scope remains aligned with the FAA AD and the referenced Boeing service bulletin."},"complexity_factors":["Reference to an external regulatory document (FAA AD 2001-23-01) — requires cross-checking and technical interpretation of that document.","Limited applicability by model and line number (Models 737-600/-700/-800; line numbers 1–84) — requires accurate fleet identification.","Technical, safety-critical engineering work (inspection, repair or replacement of hinge plates) — needs specialist maintenance resources and parts.","Cross-reference to Boeing Service Bulletin 737-55-1067 — multiple documents govern required actions.","Revised effective date (21 February 2002) — scheduling and operational planning implications for operators.","Legal basis under CAR 1998 subregulation 39.1(1) — mandatory regulatory enforcement."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of Boeing 737‑600, ‑700 and ‑800 series aeroplanes (line numbers 1–84) to carry out the technical inspections and corrective actions set out in FAA AD 2001‑23‑01 to address accelerated wear of elevator hinge plates caused by spoiler buffeting. The measure is effective 21 February 2002. Operators must perform the FAA-prescribed inspections/repairs (Boeing Service Bulletin referenced) to prevent fatigue cracking and possible loss of elevator attachment; the compliance cost and work fall on aircraft owners/operators."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope. It targets a specific structural defect in specific aircraft models and adopts the original FAA safety directive without expansion. There is no evidence of scope creep — the document does not broaden to cover additional aircraft types, additional defects, or additional operational requirements beyond the original elevator hinge plate fatigue issue."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 300 words)","Only 3 defined applicability criteria (aircraft model, series, line numbers)","Single requirement that cross-references an external FAA document rather than setting out detailed technical steps","No nested exceptions or conditional logic — compliance is straightforward and mandatory","Minimal legislative cross-referencing (only cites CAR 1998 subregulation 39.1(1) as enabling power)"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive requires operators of early Boeing 737-600/-700/-800 aircraft (line numbers 1–84) to follow FAA AD 2001-23-01 addressing fatigue cracking of elevator hinge plates caused by spoiler buffeting. Effective 21 February 2002, it mandates the inspections/repairs in the FAA AD to prevent hinge-plate failure and potential elevator detachment. Non‑compliance would leave aircraft with a known, safety‑critical structural defect."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-b737-171-elevator-hinge-plates","history":"/api/acts/ad-b737-171-elevator-hinge-plates/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b737-171-elevator-hinge-plates/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b737-171-elevator-hinge-plates/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b737-171-elevator-hinge-plates/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b737-171-elevator-hinge-plates/documents"}}