{"id":"F2006B02973","name":"AD/B737/72 - Side of Body Floor Panel Inserts","slug":"ad-b737-72-side-of-body-floor-panel-inserts","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":42332,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B02973-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/B737/72 - Side of Body Floor Panel Inserts","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nBoeing 737 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/B737/72 Side of Body Floor Panel Inserts 12/92\n\nApplicability: Model 737-400 and 737-500 series, as listed in Boeing ASB 737-53A1152, Revision 1.\n\nRequirement: Inspect the side-of-body floor panels forward of Body Station 887 to determine if the panels were manufactured by Hexcel and the date of their manufacture; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing ASB 737-53A1152 Revision 1.\n\n    (a) If the floor panels were not manufactured by Hexcel, or if the floor panels were manufactured by Hexcel on or after 7 January 1991; no further action is necessary.\n\n    (b) If the floor panels were manufactured by Hexcel before 7 January 1991, prior to further flight, either replace the floor panels or repair all one-piece inserts in the panels, in accordance with Boeing ASB 737-53A1152 Revision 1.\n\nNote: FAA AD 92-16-01 Amdt 39-8310 refers.\n\nCompliance: Prior to 8 September 1994.\n\nBackground: The FAA has received reports of disbonded one-piece inserts being found in certain side-of-body floor panels. The actions specified in this Directive are intended to prevent floor panels from breaking away from floor structure during a 9g forward load event.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, time-limited safety directive addressing a specific manufacturing defect in specific aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original narrow technical scope."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 300 words)","Only 2 defined technical terms (Body Station 887, 9g forward load event) — both explained by context","Simple conditional logic: single binary test (Hexcel + pre-Jan 1991) with two outcomes","No cross-references to other legislation beyond a single note about the corresponding FAA directive","Single applicability criterion (specific Boeing models per service bulletin)","Clear, single compliance date with no exceptions or extensions mentioned"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive mandates operators of Boeing 737‑400/‑500 aircraft inspect specific wing-to-fuselage floor panels for a known Hexcel manufacturing defect (pre‑7 Jan 1991). If those panels are the defective Hexcel ones, they must be repaired or replaced before further flight to prevent possible floor separation in a severe crash. Compliance deadline was 8 Sept 1994."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive's scope matches its stated safety objective: it targets side-of-body floor panels of certain 737-400/500 aircraft and mandates inspection and remedial action only for Hexcel-manufactured panels dated before 7 January 1991 (Applicability; Requirement; Background). It does not expand obligations beyond those panels, models, or the remedial options set out in the ASB."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow technical scope limited to specified 737-400/500 models (Applicability).","Decision depends on identifying manufacturer and exact manufacture date of panels, which may require records or physical inspection (Requirement).","Conditional actions: no action if non-Hexcel or Hexcel on/after 7 Jan 1991; mandatory replace/repair if Hexcel before that date (Requirement (a)/(b)).","Mandatory compliance before further flight for affected aircraft creates risk of temporary grounding and immediate operational disruption (Requirement (b)).","Work to be done 'in accordance with' Boeing ASB 737-53A1152 Revision 1 — reliance on an external service bulletin for procedures and acceptance criteria (Requirement).","Fixed compliance deadline in the AD text (must be complied with prior to 8 September 1994) imposes a time-bound obligation on operators (Compliance).","No regulatory discretion provided in the AD — actions are prescriptive rather than optional (Requirement).","Safety rationale is specific (prevent breakaway during a 9g forward load) and supported by FAA reports and reference (Background; Note)."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires operators of certain Boeing 737-400 and 737-500 aircraft (as listed in Boeing ASB 737-53A1152 Revision 1) to inspect side-of-body floor panels forward of Body Station 887 to confirm manufacturer and manufacture date. Hexcel-made panels dated before 7 January 1991 must be replaced or have one-piece inserts repaired before further flight. The directive says this prevents panels breaking away during a 9g forward load; compliance will require inspections, possible repairs or replacements and may cause temporary grounding."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-b737-72-side-of-body-floor-panel-inserts","history":"/api/acts/ad-b737-72-side-of-body-floor-panel-inserts/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b737-72-side-of-body-floor-panel-inserts/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b737-72-side-of-body-floor-panel-inserts/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b737-72-side-of-body-floor-panel-inserts/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b737-72-side-of-body-floor-panel-inserts/documents"}}