AD/BEECH 1900/17 - Stabilon Attachment Angle

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, encompass a range of regulations designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. One such regulation is the AD/BEECH 1900/17, which was introduced to address issues specifically related to the stabilon attachment angles on Beechcraft 1900 Series aeroplanes. This directive was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure compliance with international safety standards and to mitigate the risk of stabilon separation, which could compromise aircraft stability and safety during flight. The primary objective of this legislation is to mandate regular inspections and corrective actions for the stabilon attachment angles, thereby preventing potential accidents arising from the use of improperly sized components. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, are overseen by the Australian Parliament and enforced by CASA, which aims to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety. This particular directive targets Model 1900D aircraft with serial numbers UE-1 through UE-215, requiring inspections and replacements of stabilon attachment angles to ensure they meet the specified thickness. Compliance with these regulations is mandatory, with specific timeframes set for inspections and corrective actions to be completed, thereby ensuring that the aircraft remain airworthy and safe for operation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the Australian regulatory framework, apply to all persons and entities operating within the Commonwealth of Australia, including specific aircraft models such as the Beechcraft 1900 Series Aeroplanes. This particular regulation, AD/BEECH 1900/17, is specifically aimed at Model 1900D aircraft with serial numbers ranging from UE-1 to UE-215. It mandates inspections and potential modifications to the stabilon attachment angles to ensure they meet the required thickness of 0.090 inches. This directive applies to any aircraft within the specified serial number range, ensuring the structural integrity and flight safety of these aircraft by preventing potential separation of the stabilon, which could lead to loss of stability during flight. The regulation outlines clear timelines for compliance, including an initial inspection within 50 hours after 16 July 1997, and subsequent inspections at intervals not exceeding 50 hours until 600 hours after the specified date. Compliance is mandatory for continued operation of the affected aircraft within Australian airspace.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the adherence to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for the Beechcraft 1900 Series Aeroplanes. Within this context, AD/BEECH 1900/17 addresses the stabilon attachment angles for the Model 1900D aircraft with serial numbers UE-1 through UE-215. According to section 1, the requirement is to inspect the left and right stabilon attachment angles to ensure they meet the correct thickness specification of 0.090 inches. This inspection must be performed in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions section of Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 2651. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators of the affected aircraft must inspect the stabilon attachment angles for proper thickness as soon as possible, within 50 hours of service after 16 July 1997. Moreover, if the attachment angles are found to be 0.071 inches thick, further actions are mandated. These include repetitive inspections for cracks and, if necessary, the replacement of the attachment angles with those of the correct thickness (0.090 inches). These inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of service and before further flights, with a final replacement required within 600 hours of service after 16 July 1997. Once the replacement is completed, the repetitive inspection requirements of this directive cease. Failure to comply with the provisions outlined in this directive can result in severe consequences. While specific penalties are not detailed in the excerpt, non-compliance with CASA directives generally carries significant risks. Civil aviation regulations in Australia are stringent, and violations can lead to penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges. The severity of the penalties often depends on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but the overarching principle is to ensure that aircraft maintain the highest standards of safety and airworthiness.