COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Beechcraft 1900 Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 1900/44 Landing Gear Circuit Breaker 8/2004
Applicability: Model 1900C aeroplanes, serial numbers UB-1 through UB-35 inclusive. Requirement: Unless already accomplished, incorporate Kit No. 114-3036-1, which replaces the
200-amp landing gear electrical power current limiter with a 60-amp circuit breaker, in accordance with the procedures in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 24- 2616, Rev. 1, Revised: April, 2002.
Note: FAA AD 2004-09-30 Amdt 39-13620 refers.
Compliance: Within the next 600 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 5 August 2004.
Background: This Directive requires the replacement of the 200-amp electrical power current limiter in the landing gear with a 60-amp electrical power circuit breaker. This is the result of reports received by the United States Federal Aviation Administration about the inability to automatically lower the landing gear and the inability to operate other related electrical systems.
The Directive is issued to prevent heat damage to the electrical wiring in and around the landing gear electrical systems components, which could result in the inability to operate critical control systems.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 23 June 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 July 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, provide a legislative framework designed to maintain the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products operating in Australian airspace. This Act was enacted to address safety deficiencies and ensure the continued airworthiness of aircraft, thereby protecting public safety. The regulations are issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority granted by the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The policy objective of these regulations is to mandate strict compliance with safety directives to mitigate potential hazards and maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation. One such directive is Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 1900/44, which was introduced to rectify an unsafe condition in Beechcraft 1900 Series aeroplanes. This directive requires the replacement of a 200-amp electrical power current limiter with a 60-amp circuit breaker to prevent heat damage to electrical wiring, thus ensuring the reliability and safety of landing gear systems.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), establish the scope and application of Airworthiness Directives (AD) intended to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. This particular AD applies to Beechcraft 1900 Series aeroplanes, specifically Model 1900C aeroplanes with serial numbers UB-1 through UB-35 inclusive. The directive mandates that the specified action be taken to rectify an unsafe condition concerning the landing gear circuit breaker. The action involves replacing the existing 200-amp landing gear electrical power current limiter with a 60-amp circuit breaker, as outlined in the Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 24-2616, Revision 1, dated April 2002. The compliance period requires this action to be completed within the next 600 hours of time-in-service following the effective date of the directive, which is 5 August 2004. The directive is part of the Commonwealth's regulatory framework, aimed at preventing potential heat damage to electrical wiring which could compromise critical control systems.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, Part 39 – 105, outlines an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the Beechcraft 1900 Series aeroplanes, specifically Model 1900C aeroplanes, serial numbers UB-1 through UB-35 inclusive. This AD, numbered AD/BEECH 1900/44, mandates that unless already implemented, the aircraft must incorporate Kit No. 114-3036-1, which replaces the 200-amp landing gear electrical power current limiter with a 60-amp circuit breaker. This action must be taken in accordance with the procedures detailed in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 24-2616, Revision 1, dated April 2002. The directive aims to address issues such as the inability to automatically lower the landing gear and problems with other related electrical systems, as reported by the United States Federal Aviation Administration. The directive becomes effective on 5 August 2004, and compliance is required within the next 600 hours of time-in-service following this date.
The obligations imposed by this AD on the operators and maintainers of the affected aircraft are clear and specific. Operators must ensure that the prescribed modifications are completed by certified personnel following the outlined procedures. This includes replacing the existing 200-amp electrical power current limiter with a 60-amp circuit breaker using the specified kit and adhering to the instructions provided in the referenced service bulletin. Failure to comply with these requirements within the specified timeframe may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding until the necessary actions are taken.
Violations of the requirements set forth in the AD may result in significant civil and criminal penalties. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with ADs can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This may include fines and other penalties, with the exact penalties depending on the severity and nature of the breach. In more serious cases, where non-compliance results in a significant risk to safety, the consequences can be more severe, potentially involving criminal charges against the operators or responsible individuals. The specific maximum penalties are outlined in the regulations, but they can include substantial fines and, in extreme cases, imprisonment for individuals found guilty of criminal offences.