AD/BEECH 200/13 Amdt 1 - Aft Cowling Door Forward Latch Pin

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority issued the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which are designed to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. Part 39 of these regulations includes the schedule of airworthiness directives, which aim to maintain and enhance aircraft safety through mandatory compliance with specific directives. One such directive, AD/BEECH 200/13, addresses the issue of potential improper engagement of the forward latch pins of the aft cowling door in Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes, specifically targeting models 200, B200, 200C & 200T with certain serial numbers. This directive was enacted to rectify the identified safety concern and ensure compliance through Beechcraft Service Instruction No 0870-243, Rev 1, within a specified timeframe to mitigate any risks associated with the potential malfunction of the aft cowling door latch pins. The enactment of this airworthiness directive by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority reflects the regulatory body's commitment to addressing and resolving identified safety issues in civil aviation. The policy objective is to maintain high safety standards by requiring timely actions to be taken by aircraft operators to ensure the airworthiness of their aircraft, thereby protecting the safety of passengers, crew, and the public. This directive mandates adherence to the specified service instructions and compliance deadlines, underscoring the importance of regular safety inspections and maintenance to prevent potential hazards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the application of the Airworthiness Directives for Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes, including models 200, B200, 200C, and 200T with serial numbers as referenced in Beechcraft Service Instruction No 0870-243 Rev 1 or subsequent revisions. This directive applies to aircraft operators and owners who must ensure that the action specified in the directive is implemented to address potential issues with the forward latch pins of the aft cowling door, which may not be engaging properly. The requirement is that this action must be carried out unless already accomplished, within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1981. The directive is applicable on a Commonwealth level and extends to all relevant aircraft within the specified models and serial numbers. There are no exclusions or exemptions mentioned in this particular directive; however, compliance is mandatory for maintaining the airworthiness of the specified aircraft.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, detail the requirements and obligations for maintaining the airworthiness of certain aircraft. In the case of the Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes, AD/BEECH 200/13 Amendment 1, the primary focus is on the aft cowling door forward latch pin. Section 12/81 states that this directive applies to all models 200, B200, 200C, and 200T with serial numbers referenced in Beechcraft Service Instruction No 0870-243, Rev 1, or in any subsequent issues or revisions of that service instruction. The requirement under this directive is that action must be taken in accordance with Beechcraft SI No 0870-243, Rev 1. Compliance with this directive must be achieved unless already accomplished, and it must be done within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1981. The obligations imposed by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 on the parties governed by these provisions are quite specific. Operators and owners of the affected Beechcraft 200 series aeroplanes must ensure that their aircraft meet the requirements outlined in the Airworthiness Directive. This includes reviewing the serial numbers of their aircraft to determine applicability and taking the necessary action as specified in Beechcraft Service Instruction No 0870-243, Rev 1. The directive mandates that this action must be completed within a specified timeframe to ensure the aircraft remains airworthy. Additionally, operators must maintain records of compliance to demonstrate adherence to the regulatory requirements. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose strict consequences for non-compliance with the Airworthiness Directives. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/BEECH 200/13 Amendment 1 could result in serious safety implications, as the directive addresses a potential issue with the aft cowling door forward latch pin, which is critical for the safe operation of the aircraft. Non-compliance may lead to the aircraft being grounded until the required action is taken, and there may be further enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. In terms of penalties, while the specific maximum penalties are not stated in the directive itself, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally attracts significant fines and potential prosecution under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Operators and owners found in breach of these regulations could face criminal charges, resulting in substantial fines and imprisonment for individuals responsible for the oversight of the aircraft.