AD/BEECH 200/29 Amdt 1 - Fuselage Avionics Compartment Floor

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation across the nation. Specifically, Part 39 of these regulations addresses Airworthiness Directives, which are imperative for maintaining the safety standards of aircraft. The directive concerning the Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes, identified as AD/BEECH 200/29 Amendment 1, targets the fuselage avionics compartment floor, aiming to rectify specific safety concerns identified with certain serial numbers of the aircraft. This amendment responds to the need for enhanced structural integrity and safety, thereby mitigating potential risks associated with the identified serial numbers, and ensuring compliance with the overarching policy objective of maintaining high safety standards within the aviation sector. The enactment of these regulations by the Australian Parliament underscores the commitment to safeguarding the aviation industry, and the specific Airworthiness Directive for the Beechcraft 200 Series Aeroplanes exemplifies the regulatory body’s proactive approach to addressing identified safety gaps. By requiring compliance with Beechcraft Service Information No 1068, Revision 1, within a specified timeframe, the directive aims to ensure that all relevant aircraft meet the necessary safety requirements, thereby protecting both passengers and crew. This legislative action is a vital component in the continuous effort to uphold the highest standards of civil aviation safety in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, applies to specific serial numbers of Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series aeroplanes. The affected models include the Beechcraft 200 with serial numbers ranging from BB-183 to BB-185, BB-187 to BB-202, BB-204 to BB-269, BB-271 to BB-407, BB-409 to BB-468, BB-470 to BB-488, BB-490 to BB-509, and BB-511 to BB-514; the Beechcraft 200T with serial numbers ranging from BT-1 to BT-3; and the Beechcraft 200C with serial numbers ranging from BL-1 to BL-2. These directives are applicable on a Commonwealth level, governed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The requirement is to take action in accordance with Beechcraft Service Instruction No 1068, Revision 1, and compliance must be achieved unless already accomplished, within 100 hours of time in service after 31 January 1980. The directives extend to modifications of the fuselage avionics compartment floor, and compliance ensures safety and operational standards are met by the specified aircraft.

Key Provisions

The key provision of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/BEECH 200/29 Amendment 1, pertains to the fuselage avionics compartment floor of certain Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) series aeroplanes. This directive is applicable to all model 200 with serial numbers (S/Nos) BB-183 to BB-185, BB-187 to BB-202, BB-204 to BB-269, BB-271 to BB-407, BB-409 to BB-468, BB-470 to BB-488, BB-490 to BB-509, BB-511 to BB-514; all model 200T with S/Nos BT-1 to BT-3, and all model 200C with S/Nos BL-1 to BL-2 (section 1). The requirement is that these aeroplanes must undergo action in accordance with Beechcraft Service Instruction (SI) No 1068, Revision 1. Compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 January 1980, unless the action has already been completed (section 1). Operators and owners of the specified Beechcraft 200 series aeroplanes must ensure that the required modifications are performed by certified technicians. The modifications involve following the detailed instructions provided in Revision 1 of SI No 1068, which includes specific steps and checks to be undertaken to ensure the fuselage avionics compartment floor is appropriately configured. It is crucial that these modifications are performed within the stipulated timeframe to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with this directive may result in the aircraft not meeting the required safety standards, potentially leading to regulatory actions. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive AD/BEECH 200/29 Amendment 1 can lead to significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement action against operators who fail to adhere to the directive. This could include the issuance of a Notice of Unauthorized Modification (NUM) or a Notice of Unauthorized Operation (NUO), which can result in the grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. In more severe cases, CASA may pursue legal action against the operator, which could result in substantial fines or other penalties. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the directive itself but are governed by broader provisions within the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. In summary, the AD/BEECH 200/29 Amendment 1 mandates specific modifications to the fuselage avionics compartment floor of certain Beechcraft 200 series aeroplanes, requiring compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 January 1980. Operators must ensure these modifications are performed by certified technicians following the detailed instructions in SI No 1068, Revision 1. Failure to comply may result in enforcement actions by CASA, including grounding of the aircraft and potential legal proceedings. While the exact penalties for non-compliance are not specified in this directive, they are subject to the broader regulatory framework provided by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.