{"id":"F2006B02876","name":"AD/B737/172 Amdt 1 - Speedbrake Operation Limitation","slug":"ad-b737-172-amdt-1-speedbrake-operation-limitation","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":42218,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B02876-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/B737/172 Amdt 1 - Speedbrake Operation Limitation","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](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/B737/172 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/B737/172\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \nSpeedbrake Operation Limitation 13/2003\n\nApplicability: All Model 737-800 series aircraft.\n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA Emergency AD 2001- 12-51.\n\nNote 1: A revision of the Limitations Section of the Aircraft Flight Manual is required by this Directive.\n\nCompliance: As specified in the Requirement document with a revised effective date of 21 February 2002; unless already accomplished. Compliance with AD/B737/210 (FAA AD 2003-03-22) constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this Directive.\n\nThe compliance time remains unchanged by this issue. This Amendment becomes effective on 25 December 2003.\n\nBackground: The FAA received a report of severe vibration of the horizontal stabiliser on a Model 737-800 aircraft. Results of post-event analysis and investigation indicate that the type of vibration of the elevator and elevator tab assembly following deployment of the speedbrakes, if not corrected, could result in severe damage to the horizontal stabiliser, followed by loss of controllability of the aircraft.\n\nAmendment 1 is issued to introduce terminating action for the requirements of this Directive.\n\nThe original issue of the Airworthiness Directive became effective on 21 February 2002.\n\n![Signature of David Villiers, Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.](image.002.png)  \n\nDavid Villiers\n\n![](image.001.png)Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 13 November 2003\n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 3 December 2003.\n\n  \n\nPage 1 of 1","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"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":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Amendment 1 alters the original AD by introducing a terminating action: compliance with FAA AD 2003-03-22 satisfies the requirements of this Directive. The core requirements—following FAA Emergency AD 2001-12-51 and revising the AFM Limitations—remain in force and applicability remains 'All Model 737-800 series aircraft' (Amendment note; Requirement; Note 1; Compliance)."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-reference to external FAA Emergency AD 2001-12-51 for the substantive technical actions required (Requirement).","Mandatory revision of the Aircraft Flight Manual Limitations section creating an operational/procedural compliance burden for operators (Note 1).","Termination linkage: compliance with FAA AD 2003-03-22 acts as terminating action for this Directive, creating a dependency on a separate regulatory instrument (Compliance).","Broad applicability to the entire Model 737-800 fleet, making the directive operationally relevant to many operators (Applicability).","Amendment and revocation mechanics: this instrument revokes the prior AD and introduces Amendment 1, affecting historic compliance tracking (header/Background).","Specified effective and revised effective dates set firm compliance timing (Compliance; effective date line).","Safety rationale is narrowly technical (horizontal stabiliser vibration risk) and thus the directive ties operational limits to a specific failure mode (Background)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive applies to all Boeing 737‑800 aircraft and requires operators to carry out the technical actions published in FAA Emergency AD 2001‑12‑51, including revising the Aircraft Flight Manual’s Limitations section to restrict speedbrake operation. CASA’s delegate requires compliance by the stated dates; meeting the later FAA AD 2003‑03‑22 is accepted as terminating action for these requirements."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This amendment maintains the original scope — addressing speedbrake vibration on 737-800 aircraft. The only change is procedural: adding a terminating action pathway via a later directive. The core safety requirement and affected aircraft population remain unchanged from the original 2002 directive."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-page document with straightforward structure","Only 4 defined sections (Applicability, Requirement, Compliance, Background)","Single cross-reference to external FAA document (FAA Emergency AD 2001-12-51)","One conditional element (terminating action clause referencing AD/B737/210)","No nested exceptions or complex conditional logic","Technical aviation terminology assumed but minimal legal jargon"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive mandates Boeing 737‑800 operators follow an FAA emergency directive to address dangerous speedbrake-induced tail vibration by updating flight manuals and complying with specified technical actions. The amendment adds that complying with a later AD (AD/B737/210) serves as terminating action. It affects Australian airlines operating 737‑800s and matters because the vibration can damage the horizontal stabiliser and risk loss of control."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-b737-172-amdt-1-speedbrake-operation-limitation","history":"/api/acts/ad-b737-172-amdt-1-speedbrake-operation-limitation/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b737-172-amdt-1-speedbrake-operation-limitation/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b737-172-amdt-1-speedbrake-operation-limitation/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b737-172-amdt-1-speedbrake-operation-limitation/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b737-172-amdt-1-speedbrake-operation-limitation/documents"}}