AD/BEECH 200/11 - DC Power Panel Harness

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, encompass a variety of regulations aimed at ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations deals with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes directives for specific aircraft types, such as the Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes. This legislation was enacted to address the need for stringent safety standards and consistent regulatory oversight in the aviation industry. The policy objective behind these regulations is to ensure that all aircraft operating within Australia meet the highest standards of safety, thereby protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of the national airspace. The relevant entry, AD/BEECH 200/11, pertains to the DC Power Panel Harness of all models Super King Air 200 with serial numbers ranging from BB-2 through BB-163, and BB-165. This directive requires compliance with Beechcraft Service Information No 0849-352 and mandates that corrective actions be taken within 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service after 29 October 1976. The directive is part of the broader legislative framework overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring that specific maintenance and safety issues are addressed promptly and effectively.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD/BEECH 200/11) pertains specifically to the Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes, including all models from serial number BB-2 up to BB-163, and BB-165. This directive applies to all such aircraft operating within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, and it mandates compliance with the action requirements set out in Beechcraft Service Information No 0849-352. Compliance with this directive is necessary within 100 hours of time in service after 29 October 1976. The directive is a regulatory mandate issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, ensuring the airworthiness of the specified aircraft through compliance with the outlined requirements. The geographical scope of this directive is limited to operations within the Commonwealth, and there are no stated exclusions or exemptions in the legislative text.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (as amended), Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/BEECH 200/11, pertain to the Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) series aeroplanes. Section 105 of this directive addresses the DC Power Panel Harness for Super King Air models with serial numbers BB-2 through BB-163, and BB-165. The requirement outlined in this directive mandates that these aircraft must adhere to Beechcraft Service Information (SI) No 0849-352 (section 10/76). Essentially, this means that the specified models must have their DC Power Panel Harness inspected and potentially modified or replaced to ensure compliance with the safety standards set forth by the CASA. The obligations imposed by this directive on the parties involved, including aircraft operators, maintenance personnel, and the CASA, are stringent. Operators of the affected Beechcraft 200 series aeroplanes must ensure that the specified maintenance action is undertaken within 100 hours of time in service after 29 October 1976 (section 105). This means that if an aircraft falls within the specified serial number range, it must be grounded or otherwise restricted from service until the required maintenance has been performed. Maintenance personnel are responsible for executing the necessary modifications or repairs in accordance with the detailed instructions provided in Beechcraft SI No 0849-352. The CASA, in turn, must verify compliance through inspections and audits, ensuring that all affected aircraft are brought up to the required safety standards. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/BEECH 200/11 can result in severe legal and financial consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can be considered an offence (section 80). The penalties for such offences can be substantial. For corporations, the maximum penalty is 10,000 penalty units, which currently equates to approximately AUD 1.8 million (section 80(2)). For individuals, the maximum penalty is 1,000 penalty units, or around AUD 180,000 (section 80(3)). In addition to the financial penalties, non-compliance may also lead to enforcement actions such as fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory sanctions imposed by the CASA. These stringent measures underscore the importance of adhering to the safety directives set forth by the Australian government to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety.