{"id":"F2006B03113","name":"AD/B747/213 - E-42 Satellite Communications Rack","slug":"ad-b747-213-e-42-satellite-communications-rack","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":42485,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B03113-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/B747/213 - E-42 Satellite Communications Rack","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 747 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/B747/213 E-42 Satellite Communications Rack 11/99\n\nApplicability: Model 747-400 series aircraft as listed in Flight Structures Alert Service Bulletins 92FS082-53-A1, 92FS024-53-A1, and 94FS409-53-A2, all dated March 2 1999, and\n\n94FS448-53-A1, dated February 12 1999.\n\nRequirement: Perform detailed visual inspection in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 99-16-10 Amdt 39-11245.\n\nCompliance: At the thresholds and repeat inspection intervals specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of 4 November 1999.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 4 November 1999.\n\nBackground: The FAA received reports of fatigue cracking and broken and/or missing fasteners found on the E-42 satellite communications (SATCOM) rack structure that attaches to the fuselage structure on several Model 747-300 and -400 series aircraft.\n\nInvestigation revealed that one of the four stanchions was completely broken on two aircraft.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive enforces inspections for the E-42 SATCOM rack on the aircraft identified in the listed service bulletins and adopts FAA AD 99-16-10 technical requirements. The only modification noted is a revised effective date (4 November 1999); there is no indication the AD expands or narrows the set of affected aircraft or the inspection obligations beyond the referenced FAA requirements (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance)."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-reference to an external document (FAA AD 99-16-10) for technical requirements — compliance depends on another regulator's text (Requirement).","Applicability tied to multiple Boeing service bulletins listing specific 747-400 series aircraft (Applicability).","Inspections are 'detailed visual' — requires maintenance personnel judgement and tooling to detect fatigue cracking and missing fasteners (Requirement/Background).","Mandated thresholds and repeat intervals are those in the FAA AD, so scheduling and record-keeping must match that external timetable (Compliance).","Revised effective date introduced (Compliance) — administrative coordination for implementation timing."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires detailed visual inspection of the E-42 satellite communications rack on specified Boeing 747-400 series aircraft, adopting the technical requirements of FAA AD 99-16-10. Aircraft operators must carry out inspections at the thresholds and repeat intervals set in that FAA AD; CASA set the AD effective 4 November 1999 (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance). Operators pay inspection and any repair costs; CASA enforces compliance. The measure responds to reports of fatigue cracking and missing fasteners on the rack."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive addressing a specific structural defect on specific aircraft models. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating inspections for the E-42 SATCOM rack fatigue issue."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 200 words)","Only 4 defined/referenced technical documents (the Flight Structures bulletins and FAA AD)","Single, clear compliance requirement (visual inspection)","No nested exceptions or conditional logic — straightforward applicability and timing","Technical terminology is specific but limited to aviation maintenance context"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this is:** This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Think of it as a \"recall notice\" for aircraft, but instead of taking your car to the mechanic, airlines must inspect and fix specific problems on their planes.\n\n**What it does:** It requires airlines operating certain **Boeing 747-400 aircraft** to perform a **detailed visual inspection** of something called the \"E-42 Satellite Communications Rack\" — essentially a metal frame inside the plane that holds satellite communication equipment.\n\n**Why it matters:** The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) discovered **fatigue cracking** (tiny cracks caused by repeated stress over time) and **broken or missing fasteners** (bolts/screws) in this rack. On two aircraft, one of the four support legs (stanchions) had completely snapped. If left unchecked, this structural failure could damage critical aircraft systems or the fuselage (the main body of the plane).\n\n**Who must comply:** Airlines operating the specific 747-400 models listed in four technical bulletins from Flight Structures, dated early 1999.\n\n**When:** The inspections must happen according to the schedule set out in the referenced FAA document (AD 99-16-10), with the Australian directive taking effect on **4 November 1999**."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-b747-213-e-42-satellite-communications-rack","history":"/api/acts/ad-b747-213-e-42-satellite-communications-rack/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b747-213-e-42-satellite-communications-rack/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b747-213-e-42-satellite-communications-rack/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b747-213-e-42-satellite-communications-rack/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b747-213-e-42-satellite-communications-rack/documents"}}