{"id":"F2006B10145","name":"AD/GA-7/11 Amdt 1 - Elevator Hinge and Spar","slug":"ad-ga-7-11-amdt-1-elevator-hinge-and-spar","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":55720,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B10145-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/GA-7/11 Amdt 1 - Elevator Hinge and Spar","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)  \nGulfstream (Grumman American) GA-7 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/GA-7/11\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \nElevator Hinge and Spar 10/91 DM\n\nApplicability: Model GA-7 with serial numbers GA 7-0001 through GA 7-0115.\n\nRequirement: 1. Action in accordance with American General Mandatory SB ME-1A; Parts A through E.\n\nNote: Auto Avia design drawing 91/174/D1 is a scheme acceptable to the Authority as an alternative to elevator replacement and/or installation of GA-7 Service Kit No 12.\n\n2. For aircraft repaired in accordance with Auto Avia design drawing 91/174/D1: Visually inspect the forward face of the repaired area for cracks, working rivets, and debonding.\n\nCompliance: 1\\. Unless already accomplished; within 10 hours time in service after 31 July 1991, which was the original issue date of this Directive. Thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours time in service until GA-7 Service Kit No. 12 is installed.\n\n2. At each inspection for maintenance release issue after 21 August 1991.\n\nBackground: There have been field reports of cracks in the elevator spars at the elevator spar to hinge attach point between stabiliser stations 41.50 and 44.66.\n\nAmendment 1 is raised to introduce a repair scheme as an alternative to the manufacturer’s recommendation.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is an amendment to an existing Airworthiness Directive. The original AD required specific actions per the manufacturer's service bulletin. Amendment 1 simply adds an alternative repair method (Auto Avia drawing 91/174/D1) and corresponding inspection requirements for aircraft using that alternative. The scope remains tightly focused on the original safety issue (elevator spar cracks) and does not expand beyond the original affected aircraft population."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific aircraft model and serial number range (narrow applicability)","Two alternative compliance paths (manufacturer SB vs Auto Avia drawing)","Dual compliance schedules (initial 10-hour deadline + recurring 50-hour intervals vs maintenance release inspections)","Cross-reference to external document (American General Mandatory SB ME-1A) without reproducing its content","Technical aviation terminology requires domain knowledge (elevator spar, stabiliser stations, time in service, maintenance release)","Amendment structure adds a layer of versioning history"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive mandates inspection and repair of known cracks at the elevator attachment on Gulfstream (Grumman American) GA-7 aeroplanes (serials GA 7-0001 to GA 7-0115). Owners must inspect and carry out permanent repairs using the manufacturer’s service bulletin or the newly approved Auto Avia repair alternative, with ongoing inspections until fixed. It’s required because spar cracks could lead to loss of control and a crash."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Amendment 1 modifies the original directive by formally accepting Auto Avia design drawing 91/174/D1 as an alternative repair method to elevator replacement or fitting Service Kit No.12 and by adding a mandatory visual inspection of the repaired forward face at each maintenance‑release. The AD's applicability to specified GA‑7 serial numbers and the core inspection/recurrence regime remain otherwise unchanged."},"complexity_factors":["Safety‑critical structural inspections (elevator spar/hinge) require timely execution and accurate detection of cracks or debonding","Dependence on an external document: American General Mandatory SB ME‑1A (Parts A–E) prescribes the detailed corrective actions","Acceptance of an alternative repair (Auto Avia drawing 91/174/D1) introduces variability in methods and assessment of repair adequacy","Multiple, short compliance intervals and deadlines (10 hours TIS initial, then 50‑hour recurring intervals; inspection at each maintenance‑release) increase operational and recordkeeping burden","Limited serial‑number applicability reduces scale but concentrates compliance on specific operators/owners","Mandated eventual installation of Service Kit No.12 (end state) creates a staged compliance path requiring coordination of parts and maintenance resources","Terminology such as 'working rivets' and 'debonding' requires subjective judgments by maintenance personnel, which may increase inspection disputes or need for engineering sign‑off"],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive covers Gulfstream (Grumman American) GA‑7 aeroplanes, serials GA 7‑0001 to GA 7‑0115. It requires operators to carry out the work in American General Mandatory SB ME‑1A (Parts A–E) and to inspect the elevator spar/hinge area within 10 hours time‑in‑service and then every 50 hours until Service Kit No.12 is fitted. Amendment 1 permits an Auto Avia repair drawing as an alternative to replacement and adds a visual check of repaired forward faces at each maintenance‑release inspection because of reported cracks at the spar‑to‑hinge attach point."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ga-7-11-amdt-1-elevator-hinge-and-spar","history":"/api/acts/ad-ga-7-11-amdt-1-elevator-hinge-and-spar/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ga-7-11-amdt-1-elevator-hinge-and-spar/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ga-7-11-amdt-1-elevator-hinge-and-spar/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ga-7-11-amdt-1-elevator-hinge-and-spar/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ga-7-11-amdt-1-elevator-hinge-and-spar/documents"}}