AD/BEECH 200/2 - Flap Gearbox

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, establishes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, aimed at ensuring the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. Specifically, AD/BEECH 200/2 pertains to the flap gearbox of Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series aeroplanes with serial numbers BB-1 to BB-14. This directive was enacted to address the need for regular maintenance and compliance to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft. The requirement is for action to be taken in accordance with Beechcraft Service Information No 0689-160, and compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service following 31 January 1975. The policy objective of these regulations is to maintain the highest standards of safety in civil aviation through the enforcement of stringent airworthiness directives. The enactment of these regulations by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority granted by the Civil Aviation Act 1988, aims to mitigate potential risks associated with the flap gearbox of the specified Beechcraft 200 series aeroplanes. By imposing specific maintenance requirements, the legislation seeks to ensure that these aircraft remain safe and operationally sound, thereby protecting both passengers and crew. The overarching goal is to uphold the integrity and safety of Australia's civil aviation sector by enforcing compliance with detailed airworthiness directives.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, encompasses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which governs the maintenance and operation of aircraft within Australia. This includes detailed directives for specific aircraft models, such as the Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes, as outlined in AD/BEECH 200/2. This particular directive pertains to the flap gearbox of Model 200 aeroplanes with serial numbers BB-1 to BB-14, requiring compliance with Beechcraft Service Information No 0689-160. The directive mandates that any required actions must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 January 1975. The scope of this legislation extends to ensuring that these aircraft meet specific safety standards to maintain airworthiness, and it applies to operators and owners of the affected aircraft models. The regulatory framework under which these directives operate can be further extended or refined through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for the Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes, detailing the AD/BEECH 200/2 concerning the Flap Gearbox. This directive applies to Model 200 with serial numbers ranging from BB-1 to BB-14. The requirement outlined in this directive is that the action must be taken in accordance with Beechcraft Service Instruction (SI) No 0689-160. The compliance period stipulates that this action must be completed within 100 hours of time in service following 31 January 1975. This means that operators of the specified aircraft must adhere to the maintenance instructions provided by Beechcraft within this timeframe to ensure the aircraft's continued airworthiness. Operators of the Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers BB-1 to BB-14, are obligated to ensure compliance with the Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 200/2. This involves implementing the corrective actions specified in Beechcraft SI No 0689-160 concerning the Flap Gearbox. The directive mandates that these actions must be undertaken within the prescribed period, which is within 100 hours of time in service after 31 January 1975. Operators must maintain accurate records of the actions taken to demonstrate compliance with this directive. Additionally, they must ensure that any modifications or repairs are carried out by authorised personnel and that the aircraft is returned to service only after it has been certified as compliant with the AD. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/BEECH 200/2 can result in serious civil and criminal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can lead to penalties for the aircraft operator. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide that any person who contravenes an airworthiness directive may be liable to a penalty. Specifically, for a serious contravention, the maximum penalty can be up to $275,000 for an individual and up to $1.375 million for a body corporate. Additionally, continued operation of an aircraft that does not comply with an Airworthiness Directive can result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), including grounding of the aircraft and potential prosecution under the criminal law. It is imperative that operators take the directive seriously and ensure full compliance to avoid these severe consequences.