AD/BEECH 1900/13 - Cabin Partition

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, form a critical part of the regulatory framework governing civil aviation safety in Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The legislative instrument F2006B03631, specifically pertaining to Beechcraft 1900 Series Aeroplanes, was enacted to address the safety concerns related to the cabin partition in certain models of these aircraft. The instrument was introduced to ensure that a structural deficiency in the cabin partition, which could potentially lead to passenger injury, is rectified. The policy objective is to mandate specific inspections and modifications to the cabin partition to maintain airworthiness and passenger safety, in alignment with directives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Compliance with these airworthiness directives is required within 400 hours of the aircraft being in service after the directive's publication date, underscoring the urgency and importance of these safety measures.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate airworthiness directives for various aircraft types, including the Beechcraft 1900 Series aeroplanes. The regulation under discussion, AD/BEECH 1900/13, pertains to the cabin partition of Model 1900D aircraft with serial numbers ranging from UE-2 through UE-92. The directive is geographically applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The primary aim of this directive is to address a structural deficiency in the cabin partition that could potentially result in passenger injury due to an inability to withstand the maximum baggage compartment load of 250 lbs. The requirement includes both an inspection and an installation mandate for specific serial numbers, as well as an improvement directive for all affected serial numbers. Compliance with these directives is mandatory within 400 hours of time in service after 28 March 1996, aligning with the corresponding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directive, AD 95-26-14 Amdt 39-9474.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, with AD/BEECH 1900/13 focusing on Beechcraft 1900 Series Aeroplanes. This directive pertains to the cabin partition of Model 1900D aircraft with serial numbers ranging from UE-2 through UE-92. The directive mandates inspections and modifications to ensure the structural integrity of the cabin partition, thereby preventing potential failures that could lead to passenger injury. Specifically, for aircraft with certain serial numbers (UE-2 through UE-68, UE-70 through UE-72, or UE-74 through UE-77), the cabin partition must be inspected to confirm the presence of a right-hand partition bracket, part number 129-530043-79. If this bracket is missing, it must be installed using MS27039-1-09 screws and AN960PD10 washers, following Kit Drawing No. 129-5007 as referenced in Beech Service Bulletin 2556 Revision 1. Additionally, for all affected aircraft, improvements to the right-hand forward partition installation must be made in accordance with the same Kit Drawing No. 129-5007. The obligations imposed by this directive require aircraft operators to ensure compliance within 400 hours of time in service after 28 March 1996. This includes conducting the necessary inspections and, if required, installing or improving the cabin partition as specified. Compliance involves following the detailed instructions provided in the referenced Beech Service Bulletin and ensuring all parts and installation methods adhere to the directive's specifications. The directive also references FAA AD 95-26-14 Amdt 39-9474, indicating a collaborative approach between Australian and US aviation authorities in addressing this safety concern. Failure to comply with the provisions outlined in AD/BEECH 1900/13 can result in significant consequences. Non-compliance could lead to cabin partition failure, potentially causing passenger injury or other safety hazards. While the specific legal penalties are not detailed within the directive, breaches of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can generally result in substantial fines and other civil or criminal penalties. In more severe cases, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to impose operational restrictions or revoke airworthiness certificates, which can significantly impact an aircraft operator's ability to conduct flights.