{"id":"F2006B10327","name":"AD/GROB 115/9 - Elevator Hinges","slug":"ad-grob-115-9-elevator-hinges","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":56083,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B10327-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/GROB 115/9 - Elevator Hinges","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)  \nGrob G115 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/GROB 115/9 Elevator Hinges 10/97\n\nApplicability: Model G115C and D, all serial numbers up to and including 82077. Requirement: 1. Inspect the elevator hinges in accordance with Grob Service Bulletin (SB)\n\n1078-64/2\n\n2. Replace the elevator hinges in accordance with Grob SB 1078-64.\n\nNote: LBA AD 97-143 refers.\n\nCompliance: For Requirement 1: Within 200 hours time in service after 11 September 1997, but not later than 1 year after compliance with SB 1078-59/3; thereafter at intervals not to exceed 200 hours time in service or annually, whichever occurs first, until compliance with Requirement 2 of this Directive.\n\nFor Requirement 2: Unless already accomplished, before 31 December 1998\\. This airworthiness directive becomes effective on 11 September 1997.\n\nBackground: Several aircraft were found to have delaminated outboard elevator hinges, as a result of inspection in accordance with SB 1078-59/3. This delamination was determined to be caused by overloading.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete airworthiness directive addressing a specific safety defect in specific aircraft models. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating inspection and replacement of defective elevator hinges."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple interdependent compliance deadlines (200 hours TIS vs 1 year from prior SB compliance)","Nested conditions for ongoing inspections (whichever occurs first logic)","Cross-reference to external documents (Grob Service Bulletins 1078-64/2, 1078-64, and 1078-59/3)","Reference to foreign aviation authority directive (LBA AD 97-143)","Serial number applicability cutoff (up to and including 82077)"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a **safety order for specific Grob aeroplanes** (models G115C and D with serial numbers up to 82077).\n\n**What it does:**\nThe Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued a mandatory safety directive because some Grob G115 aircraft were found to have **delaminated elevator hinges** — meaning the layers of material in the hinges that control the plane's pitch were separating. This was caused by overloading.\n\n**What aircraft owners/operators must do:**\n\n1. **Inspect** the elevator hinges following Grob Service Bulletin 1078-64/2:\n   - First inspection: Within 200 flight hours after 11 September 1997, OR within 1 year of complying with an earlier safety bulletin (SB 1078-59/3) — whichever comes first\n   - Repeat inspections: Every 200 flight hours OR annually (whichever happens first)\n   - Keep doing these until the hinges are replaced\n\n2. **Replace** the elevator hinges following Grob Service Bulletin 1078-64:\n   - Must be done by 31 December 1998 (unless already done)\n\n**Why it matters:**\nElevator hinges are critical — they connect the elevator (the moving part on the tail that makes the plane go up or down) to the aircraft. If these hinges fail due to delamination, the pilot could lose control of the aircraft's pitch, potentially causing a crash. This directive forces owners to check for the problem and ultimately fix it permanently.\n\n**Key dates:**\n- Effective from: 11 September 1997\n- Replacement deadline: 31 December 1998"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive focuses on remediating delaminated outboard elevator hinges on Grob G115C/D up to serial 82077, requiring inspection then replacement. The text confines remedies and deadlines to that defined fleet and defect (Applicability, Requirement 1, Requirement 2, Background); there is no expansion of affected models, defect types, or obligations beyond the stated measures."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability: limited to models G115C and D, serial numbers up to and including 82077 (Applicability).","Two-step requirement structure: an initial inspection requirement (SB 1078-64/2) followed by mandatory replacement (SB 1078-64) (Requirement 1 and Requirement 2).","Timing dependencies: inspection due within 200 hours TIS after 11 Sep 1997 but not later than 1 year after compliance with an earlier SB (1078-59/3); replacement deadline fixed at 31 Dec 1998 (Compliance).","Recurring inspection interval until replacement: inspections every 200 hours TIS or annually, whichever is first, until replacement is performed (Compliance).","Cross-references to multiple service bulletins and a foreign AD (LBA AD 97-143) increase administrative steps and technical interpretation needs (Note/LBA AD reference).","Operational impact: requires tracking time-in-service, arranging technical inspections and parts/replacements, and bearing direct costs (Requirements/Compliance)."],"plain_english_summary":"This airworthiness directive requires owners/operators of Grob G115C and G115D aeroplanes (serial numbers up to 82077) to inspect elevator hinges per Grob Service Bulletin 1078-64/2 and then replace them in accordance with Grob SB 1078-64 by 31 December 1998. It was issued after inspections found delaminated outboard elevator hinges caused by overloading; operators bear the inspection and replacement costs and must track flight hours and prior SB compliance to meet the deadlines."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-grob-115-9-elevator-hinges","history":"/api/acts/ad-grob-115-9-elevator-hinges/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-grob-115-9-elevator-hinges/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-grob-115-9-elevator-hinges/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-grob-115-9-elevator-hinges/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-grob-115-9-elevator-hinges/documents"}}