AD/BEECH 1900/10 - Elevator Trim Tab Control Cable

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, include specific safety directives to ensure the continued airworthiness of aircraft operated within Australian airspace. One such directive, AD/BEECH 1900/10, pertains to the elevator trim tab control cable of Beechcraft 1900 Series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the specific safety concern of potential in-flight separation of the elevator trim tab control cable, which could compromise the aircraft's control and safety. This was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure compliance with safety standards, and the policy objective is to mitigate risks associated with improperly routed cables that could lead to structural damage or control failures. The directive applies to Model 1900D aircraft with serial numbers UE-1 through UE-131 and requires the inspection and, if necessary, the replacement of the elevator trim tab control cable to prevent it from being incorrectly routed or chafed. This action is mandated to be completed before further flight after 1 February 1995, following an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) into a reported incident where the trim tab control cable had separated in-flight. The directive's implementation ensures that these aircraft meet the required safety standards, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to the Beechcraft 1900 Series aeroplanes, with the particular focus on Model 1900D aircraft bearing serial numbers from UE-1 to UE-131. The directive mandates compliance with specific maintenance requirements to ensure airworthiness and safety, particularly concerning the elevator trim tab control cable. The directive applies to all relevant aircraft within the specified serial number range and necessitates that certain maintenance actions be undertaken in accordance with detailed procedures outlined in the Beech 1900D Maintenance Manual. Compliance is mandatory unless the required maintenance actions have already been completed. This directive extends across the entire Commonwealth of Australia, with the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority overseeing adherence to the stipulated safety measures. Exclusions and exemptions are not explicitly stated in this directive, meaning that all aircraft within the specified range must comply with the outlined requirements.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the AD/BEECH 1900/10 (sections 1-3) require the removal of access panel number 333ATC from the top surface of the horizontal stabiliser to inspect the elevator trim tab cable, guides, and pulleys. Specifically, section 1 directs the removal of the access panel, section 2 mandates the inspection of the cable routing and replacement of any incorrectly routed or chafed cables, and section 3 notes that compliance with the procedures in Beech Communique 1900D-112 is equivalent to fulfilling the requirements of this directive. This legislation imposes clear obligations on the operators of Model 1900D aircraft with serial numbers UE-1 through UE-131. Operators must ensure that the specified maintenance procedures are carried out before further flights, with the directive mandating compliance unless the procedures have already been completed prior to 1 February 1995. These requirements necessitate that the aircraft maintenance manual, part number 129-590000-15A11, be followed meticulously, with particular attention to the chapters and pages referenced. The consequences of non-compliance with the AD/BEECH 1900/10 are significant. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the legislative instrument, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to severe repercussions, including fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates, and potential criminal charges for endangering the safety of air travel. The gravity of these potential penalties underscores the importance of adhering strictly to the outlined requirements.