{"id":"F2006B02914","name":"AD/B737/218 - Windshield Wipers","slug":"ad-b737-218-windshield-wipers","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":42256,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B02914-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\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 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","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/B737/218 Windshield Wipers 13/2003","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/B737/218 Windshield Wipers 13/2003","content":"# AD/B737/218 Windshield Wipers 13/2003\n\nApplicability: Model 737-400 and \\-500 series aeroplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 737-30A1052, dated 12 October 2000 and Model 737-600, -700 and -800 series aeroplanes, as listed in Boeing ASB 737-30A1049, dated 1 June 2000.\n\nRequirement: Either:\n\nModify the wiring to the left and right windshield wiper motors in the flight compartment (including changing certain wire bundles, reducing the windshield wiper blade force to between 3.5 and 4.5 pounds, and doing an operational test of the windshield wiper system), in accordance with ASB 737-30A1052 (for Model 737-400 and -500 series aeroplanes); or ASB 737-30A1049 (for Model 737-600,\n\n\\-700 and \\-800 series aeroplanes); as applicable,\n\nor,\n\nFor Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series aeroplanes \\- Replace the left and right windshield wiper motor/converters in the flight compartment (including increasing the blade force of the windshield wipers to between 6.5 and 7.5 pounds; and doing an operational test of the windshield wiper system), in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin (SB) 737-30-1054, Revision 1, dated 6 March 2003.\n\nReplacement of the left and right windshield wiper motor/converters accomplished prior to the effective date of this Directive in accordance with SB 737-30-1054, dated 9 May 2002, is considered acceptable for compliance with this Directive.\n\nFor Model 737-400 and -500 series aeroplanes equipped with brushless windshield wiper motor/converters \\- Replace the left and right windshield wiper motor/converters in the flight compartment (including increasing the blade force of the windshield wipers to between 6.5 and 7.5 pounds; and doing an operational test of the windshield wiper system), in accordance with Boeing SB 737-30-1055, Revision 1, dated 6 March 2003.","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Airworthiness Directive maintains its original narrow scope. It addresses a specific unsafe condition in windshield wiper systems on defined Boeing 737 models and provides targeted technical remedies. There is no evidence of scope creep; the directive remains focused on its original aviation safety purpose without expanding into unrelated operational or regulatory areas."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple alternative compliance pathways (rewiring vs replacement)","Model-specific requirements with different technical references (ASB 737-30A1052 vs ASB 737-30A1049 vs SB 737-30-1054 vs SB 737-30-1055)","Nested applicability conditions (different rules for -400/-500 series vs -600/-700/-800 series, plus sub-condition for brushless motor variants)","Technical cross-references to external Boeing documents (Service Bulletins and Alert Service Bulletins) that are not reproduced in the directive itself","Specific measurement tolerances (3.5–4.5 pounds vs 6.5–7.5 pounds blade force)","Grandfathering provision for prior compliance (work done under earlier SB revision counts as acceptable)"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA safety order targets specific Boeing 737 (-400/500/600/700/800) aircraft in Australia and requires operators to fix unsafe windshield-wiper wiring. Compliance means either rewiring the wiper motors and reducing blade pressure or replacing motors/converters and increasing blade pressure, following Boeing service bulletins. It affects airlines and maintenance organisations and matters because faulty wipers can degrade pilot visibility in adverse weather."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"There is no clear indication in the text provided that this version expanded beyond the original safety purpose. The AD addresses a discrete unsafe condition (windshield wipers) on specified 737 models and prescribes corrective work. It offers alternative compliance methods for different model/equipment configurations and accepts prior compliant work done to a specified earlier SB, but those are implementation details rather than a substantive broadening of scope."},"complexity_factors":["Clear, single‑issue instrument (windshield wiper unsafe condition) rather than multi‑topic regulation","Applicability limited to specific Boeing 737 series (5 model groups referenced)","Two alternative compliance paths (wiring modification or motor/converter replacement) for overlapping model sets","References to multiple external Boeing documents (ASB 737‑30A1052, ASB 737‑30A1049, SB 737‑30‑1054 Rev.1, SB 737‑30‑1055 Rev.1, and earlier SB dated 9 May 2002)","Specific technical parameters stipulated (blade force ranges: 3.5–4.5 lb or 6.5–7.5 lb) increasing precision of required work","Conditional acceptance of prior work (prior SB compliance accepted) introduces a one‑step exception","Cross‑reference to CASA statutory power (subregulation 39.1(1) of CASR 1998) but otherwise limited internal cross‑referencing","Missing the compliance timing text in the excerpt (compliance time ‘mentioned in the compliance section’) — requires consulting the full AD"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this directive does (mechanically)\n\n- Requires specific maintenance work on the left and right windshield wiper systems of certain Boeing 737 aeroplane models. (This is an Airworthiness Directive issued under CASA powers to correct an identified unsafe condition.)\n\n- Operators must either:  \n  • Modify the wiring and related components for the flight‑deck (cockpit) wiper motors, reduce the wiper blade force to between 3.5 and 4.5 pounds, and perform an operational test — done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 737‑30A1052 for 737‑400/‑500 or ASB 737‑30A1049 for 737‑600/‑700/‑800 (Requirement section); or  \n  • For 737‑600/‑700/‑800 aeroplanes, replace the left and right wiper motor/converters, increase blade force to between 6.5 and 7.5 pounds, and perform an operational test — in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin (SB) 737‑30‑1054, Rev. 1 (Requirement section).  \n\n- For 737‑400/‑500 aeroplanes equipped with brushless wiper motor/converters, the replacement option is to follow Boeing SB 737‑30‑1055, Rev. 1 (Requirement section).\n\n- If the replacement was already done before the AD’s effective date using SB 737‑30‑1054 dated 9 May 2002, that earlier work is accepted as compliance (Requirement section).\n\nWho this affects\n\n- Airlines and other operators of Boeing 737‑400, ‑500, ‑600, ‑700 and ‑800 series aircraft listed in the referenced Boeing service/alert bulletins (Applicability section).  \n- Maintenance organisations and technicians who will carry out the wiring changes, part replacements, blade‑force adjustments and operational tests.  \n- Parts suppliers (Boeing or approved vendors) who provide the motor/converters, wiring or other components required by the service bulletins.\n\nWho pays and who decides\n\n- Aircraft operators pay for parts, labour and the aircraft downtime required to carry out the work. (Requirement section: work must be done \"in accordance with\" the Boeing documents cited.)  \n- The CASA delegate issues the AD and sets the requirement; the detailed steps and technical procedure are those specified by the referenced Boeing ASBs/SBs (see Requirement and Applicability sections).\n\nWhy it matters\n\n- The AD addresses an identified unsafe condition with windshield wipers — the required modifications or replacements and the operational tests are intended to eliminate that condition and restore required functionality and safety margins (Background/Requirement sections).  \n\nPractical effects, trade‑offs and implementation notes\n\n- Operators have two compliance paths (modify wiring and lower blade force, or replace motor/converters and increase blade force) depending on aircraft model and equipment fit — this gives operational choice but requires selecting the option that matches the aeroplane configuration and the correct Boeing document (Requirement section).  \n- Costs include parts, certified labour, and aircraft out‑of‑service time. The two options may differ in material cost and labour/time; operators will weigh these when choosing a compliance path.  \n- The AD depends on external manufacturer documents (ASBs and SBs). Correct compliance therefore requires access to and strict follow‑through of those Boeing procedures; incorrect implementation or skipped tests could leave the unsafe condition uncorrected.  \n- One concrete administrative relief: earlier replacements done per SB dated 9 May 2002 are accepted, reducing rework for aircraft already modified (Requirement section).  \n- The AD is technical and prescriptive (specifies blade‑force ranges and tests). It imposes a compliance obligation on operators rather than providing options to defer or substitute unrelated actions; work must be done at the time stated in the AD’s compliance section (not reproduced here).\n\nSource citations\n\n- Applicability: lists affected 737 models and references Boeing ASB 737‑30A1052 (12 Oct 2000) and ASB 737‑30A1049 (1 Jun 2000).  \n- Requirement: sets out the two compliance pathways, the specific Boeing SB/ASB documents to use, the blade force ranges (3.5–4.5 lb or 6.5–7.5 lb), and acceptance of earlier SB 9 May 2002 work.\n\n(Technical terms: \"operational test\" means a functional check of the wiper system after work is completed; \"motor/converter\" is the combined motor and electrical converter assembly that drives the wipers.)"},"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-b737-218-windshield-wipers","history":"/api/acts/ad-b737-218-windshield-wipers/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b737-218-windshield-wipers/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b737-218-windshield-wipers/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b737-218-windshield-wipers/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b737-218-windshield-wipers/documents"}}