COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Beechcraft 1900 Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 1900/14 Pilot’s and Co-Pilot’s Windshields 10/96
TX
Applicability: Model 1900D aeroplanes serial numbers UE-1 through UE-239 inclusive with either windshield part number (P/N) 114-384020-1 or 114-384020-2 fitted.
Requirement: 1. Identify whether windshield P/N 114-384020-1 or 114-384020-2 is fitted, noting that the pilot's windshield and co-pilot's windshield may not have the same windshield configuration.
2. Pull and band the circuit breakers leading to the windshield heat control on the pilot or co-pilot sides where windshield P/N 114-384020-1 or 114-384020-2 is fitted. The affected circuit breakers are the LEFT WSHLD, CONTROL and PWR circuit breakers located on the circuit breaker panel on the co-pilot's side (Zone 246) and the CO-PILOT WSHLD ANTI-ICE circuit breaker located on the aft side of the forward pressure bulkhead above the copilot left rudder pedal (Zone 222).
3. Fabricate a placard with the following words in letters at least 2.5 mm (0.10 inches) in height and install the placard within clear view of the pilot on the instrument panel:
FLIGHT IN KNOWN ICING CONDITIONS IS PROHIBITED
Note: FAA Priority Letter AD 96-15-01 Docket 96-CE-41-AD refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Before further flight after 21 July 1996.
For Requirement 2 and 3 - Immediately following Requirement 1, if either windshield P/N 114-384020-1 or 114-384020-2 is found to be fitted.
Background: The FAA has received reports of smoke and fire in the cockpit of two Beech Model 1900D aeroplanes. The reports indicate that a high resistance short circuit situation was created by the braid wire that is attached to the low heat power terminal block mounted on the pilot and co-pilot windshields. This caused arcing and generated sufficient amounts of heat, resulting in fire and smoke in the cockpit.
The action required by this Directive is only interim, until a final action is identified, and is designed to decrease the likelihood of smoke and fire occurring around the forward edge of the cockpit glare shield.
Federal Register of Legislative Instruments F2006B03632
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the Australian legislative framework, address safety concerns in civil aviation, particularly through the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs). One such AD, F2006B03632, was introduced to tackle specific safety issues identified with the Beechcraft 1900 Series aeroplanes. This legislation was enacted by the Australian Parliament to ensure the safety of air travel, focusing on mitigating risks associated with identified faults in aircraft components. The policy objective behind AD/BEECH 1900/14 is to prevent incidents of smoke and fire in the cockpit caused by high resistance short circuits in the windshield heat control systems of the Beechcraft 1900D aeroplanes. This interim measure was put in place following reports of such incidents, aiming to protect passengers and crew by prohibiting flight in known icing conditions until a more permanent solution is identified.
The AD requires operators to identify specific windshield configurations and take corrective actions such as pulling and banding circuit breakers and installing warning placards. The urgency of compliance is highlighted, with specific timelines provided for identifying the windshield configuration and implementing the necessary modifications. This directive underscores the commitment of the Australian aviation regulatory framework to maintaining the highest safety standards in air travel.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the regulation of airworthiness directives concerning civil aviation safety, and in this instance, it addresses a critical safety directive for Beechcraft 1900 Series aeroplanes. This particular directive, AD/BEECH 1900/14, targets Model 1900D aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from UE-1 to UE-239 inclusive that are equipped with specific pilot's and co-pilot's windshields, identified by part numbers 114-384020-1 or 114-384020-2. The directive applies to the operators of these aircraft, ensuring that the identified safety measures are implemented to mitigate risks associated with potential cockpit fires. The directive requires operators to verify the windshield configuration, pull and band specific circuit breakers, and install a placard prohibiting flight in known icing conditions. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory, with certain actions needing to be taken immediately following the verification of the windshield part numbers, while others must be completed before further flight after a specified date. This directive is part of a broader effort to enhance safety within the aviation industry, reflecting the Commonwealth's commitment to stringent airworthiness standards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which include AD/BEECH 1900/14 concerning Beechcraft 1900 Series aeroplanes. This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to Model 1900D aeroplanes with specific serial numbers and particular windshield part numbers. The AD mandates several key requirements for these aircraft to ensure operational safety. Firstly, operators must identify whether the specified windshields (P/N 114-384020-1 or 114-384020-2) are installed on their aircraft (section 1). Secondly, operators must deactivate the circuit breakers associated with the windshield heat control if the specified windshields are present (section 2). This involves pulling and banding the LEFT WSHLD, CONTROL, and PWR circuit breakers on the co-pilot's side, as well as the CO-PILOT WSHLD ANTI-ICE circuit breaker above the co-pilot's left rudder pedal. Finally, operators are required to attach a placard within the pilot's clear view on the instrument panel with the words "FLIGHT IN KNOWN ICING CONDITIONS IS PROHIBITED" in at least 2.5 mm (0.10 inches) high letters (section 3).
The AD imposes several obligations on the operators of the affected Beechcraft 1900D aeroplanes. Operators must ensure that they comply with the identification requirement before further flight after 21 July 1996 (section 1). If the specified windshields are found to be installed, operators must immediately deactivate the relevant circuit breakers and install the mandatory placard (section 2 and 3). Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to significant safety risks, including the potential for smoke and fire in the cockpit, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Non-compliance with the AD/BEECH 1900/14 can result in serious consequences. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the AD, violations of Civil Aviation Regulations can lead to both civil and criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Civil penalties can include fines, while criminal penalties may involve imprisonment, reflecting the gravity of non-compliance with safety directives. The FAA's reports of smoke and fire incidents underscore the importance of adhering to these requirements to prevent hazardous conditions in flight.