{"id":"F2006B03159","name":"AD/B747/263 - Rudder Pedal Pushrod Fastener","slug":"ad-b747-263-rudder-pedal-pushrod-fastener","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":42531,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B03159-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 747 Series Aeroplanes","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/B747/263 Rudder Pedal Pushrod Fastene","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/B747/263 Rudder Pedal Pushrod Fastener 1/2002","content":"# AD/B747/263 Rudder Pedal Pushrod Fastener 1/2002\n\nApplicability: Boeing 747 series aircraft; as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-27A2373 dated 24 June 1999.\n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2001-22-13 Amdt 39-12492.\n\nCompliance: As specified in the Requirement document with a revised effective date of 24 January 2002.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 24 January 2002.\n\nBackground: The FAA requires replacement of the rudder pedal fasteners for both the captain’s and the first officer’s pedal assemblies with new, improved fasteners. This action is required to prevent loss of rudder control due to improperly torqued fasteners that connect the pushrod to the rudder pedal assembly, which could result in loss of controllability of the aircraft.\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 4 December 2001\n\n![](image.001.png)","sortOrder":1}],"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":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD adopts and enforces the FAA-required technical action (replacement of rudder pedal pushrod fasteners) for the listed Boeing 747 aircraft. It does not broaden the technical scope beyond that original safety purpose; rather it enforces the same corrective action in the Australian regulatory system by cross-referencing the FAA AD and the Boeing service bulletin. There is no indication in the text that the AD adds unrelated obligations or expands applicability beyond the aircraft listed in the referenced Boeing service bulletin."},"complexity_factors":["Short single-page directive (few clauses)","Only 2 external cross-references: FAA AD 2001-22-13 and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-27A2373","No defined-terms section within the AD itself","Simple, single-action requirement (replace fasteners) with a single safety rationale","Compliance timing delegated entirely to the referenced FAA AD (adds operational dependency on external document)","No nested exceptions or conditional logic within the AD text"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanics)**\n\n- This is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) that requires operators of certain Boeing 747 aeroplanes to replace specific rudder-pedal fasteners. (Applicability; Requirement.)\n- The AD implements the technical actions set out in FAA AD 2001-22-13 (Amdt 39-12492). Those technical actions require replacement of the rudder pedal fasteners on both the captain’s and first officer’s pedal assemblies with new, improved fasteners to prevent loss of rudder control caused by improperly torqued fasteners that connect the pushrod to the rudder pedal assembly. (Requirement; Background.)\n- The AD applies to the Boeing 747 series aeroplanes listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-27A2373 dated 24 June 1999. (Applicability.)\n- The required work must be done in accordance with the FAA AD and the compliance timing in that document; this CASA AD is effective 24 January 2002. (Requirement; Compliance.)\n\n**Who this affects**\n\n- Aircraft owners/operators and maintenance organisations responsible for Boeing 747 aircraft that are listed in the Boeing Alert Service Bulletin referenced above. (Applicability.)\n- Licensed maintenance personnel who perform the inspections and replacement work under the AD. (Requirement.)\n\n**Why it matters (stated safety purpose and practical effect)**\n\n- The stated safety purpose is to prevent loss of rudder control caused by improperly torqued or otherwise unsuitable fasteners connecting the pushrod to the rudder pedal assembly. Loss of rudder control can affect steerability/controllability of the aircraft during critical phases of flight or ground operations. (Background.)\n\n**Who pays and who decides**\n\n- Operators pay for the parts, labour and aircraft downtime required to carry out the replacement and any inspections. (Requirement; Compliance.)\n- The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), via its delegate under subregulation 39.1(1) of CAR 1998, is the regulator issuing the AD and prescribing mandatory compliance. (Introductory terms; signature block.)\n\n**Implementation, compliance and administrative points**\n\n- The AD does not reproduce the full technical procedure; operators must consult and follow FAA AD 2001-22-13 and the Boeing Alert Service Bulletin named in the Applicability section for detailed instructions. (Applicability; Requirement.)\n- Any deviation from the required technical procedure would normally need CASA approval (in practice, regulators approve alternate methods of compliance where acceptable), so operators should plan maintenance and parts sourcing around the specified documents. (Operational implication of Requirement/Compliance.)\n\n**Costs, incentives and trade-offs**\n\n- Direct costs to operators: parts and labour, plus aircraft downtime while the work is done. These are concentrated on the specific aircraft owners/lessors/operators affected. (Requirement; Compliance.)\n- Benefit: reduced risk of rudder-control failure for the affected aircraft. Benefits are safety-related and accrue to operators, crew and passengers on affected aircraft. (Background.)\n- Supplier effects: demand for the improved fasteners and any associated tooling/inspection services will increase; this is a concentrated benefit for suppliers able to provide approved parts. (Requirement.)\n- Administrative burden: operators must identify applicability to their fleet (by cross-referencing the Boeing service bulletin) and schedule the work in line with the FAA AD compliance times. (Applicability; Compliance.)\n\n**Implementation risks and unintended consequences (mechanisms, not judgments)**\n\n- If operators delay or incorrectly perform the replacement, the unsafe condition (improperly torqued fasteners) remains, maintaining the safety risk identified. (Background; Requirement.)\n- Shortages of approved replacement parts or maintenance capacity could cause scheduling difficulty and aircraft downtime. The AD’s cross-reference to external technical documents increases operational complexity because the AD itself does not contain the step‑by‑step procedure. (Requirement; Applicability.)\n\n**Where the text points to discretion or external dependence**\n\n- The AD mandates compliance with an FAA AD and a Boeing service bulletin. That creates dependence on external documents for the detailed requirements; CASA enforces the requirement but relies on those documents for technical content. (Requirement; Applicability.)\n\n(Section references in parentheses refer to the labeled parts of the AD: Applicability, Requirement, Compliance, Background.)"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a targeted safety directive addressing a specific mechanical defect. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating a hardware replacement on rudder pedal assemblies."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 300 words)","Only 3 operative sections: Applicability, Requirement, and Compliance","No defined terms section","No cross-references to other legislation beyond a single FAA directive reference","Single, unambiguous action required (replace fasteners)","No conditional logic or exceptions"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a **safety order for Boeing 747 aircraft** issued by Australia's aviation safety regulator (CASA). It requires airlines and aircraft operators to replace specific bolts (fasteners) on the rudder pedals—the foot controls pilots use to steer the plane left and right.\n\n**What the problem is:** The original bolts connecting the rudder pedals to the control rods can come loose if not tightened properly. If they fail, pilots could lose control of the rudder, making the aircraft uncontrollable.\n\n**What must be done:** Operators must follow a specific Boeing service bulletin and an American FAA safety directive to install new, improved fasteners on both the captain's and first officer's rudder pedals.\n\n**Who this affects:** Anyone operating Boeing 747 series aircraft in Australia (passenger airlines, cargo operators, private owners).\n\n**Why it matters:** This prevents a potentially catastrophic loss of aircraft control during flight."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-b747-263-rudder-pedal-pushrod-fastener","history":"/api/acts/ad-b747-263-rudder-pedal-pushrod-fastener/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b747-263-rudder-pedal-pushrod-fastener/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b747-263-rudder-pedal-pushrod-fastener/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b747-263-rudder-pedal-pushrod-fastener/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b747-263-rudder-pedal-pushrod-fastener/documents"}}