AD/BEECH 200/32 - Left Hand Rudder Cable Installation

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, was enacted to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australia. This legislative instrument addresses the specific issue of the left-hand rudder cable installation in Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series aeroplanes, as identified in AD/BEECH 200/32. The problem it seeks to resolve is the potential for the left-hand rudder cable to be incorrectly routed during the original installation, which could compromise the safety and control of the aircraft. The policy objective, as stated in the legislation, is to mandate compliance with Beechcraft Service Instruction No 1172 within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1981, thereby mitigating any safety risks associated with the identified issue. The enacting body responsible for this legislation is the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, which enacts such regulations to uphold and enhance the safety standards in the aviation sector. This legislative instrument is part of a broader regulatory framework designed to ensure that all aircraft operating in Australian airspace meet stringent safety requirements. By implementing these airworthiness directives, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority aims to maintain the highest safety standards for all aircraft, thereby protecting the lives of passengers and crew, as well as the general public.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for certain Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all model 200 Beechcraft aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from BB-2 to BB-647, all model 200C aeroplanes with serial numbers from BL-1 to BL-6, and all model 200T aeroplanes with serial numbers from BT-1 to BT-13. The Act mandates compliance with the requirements outlined in Beechcraft Service Instruction No 1172, specifically concerning the installation of the left-hand rudder cable, which must be corrected within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1981. The regulation ensures that the left-hand rudder cable is correctly routed in the under-floor area to prevent potential safety issues that could arise from an incorrectly installed cable. This directive applies nationally across Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and is integral to maintaining the airworthiness of the specified aircraft models.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that governs the maintenance and operational standards of various aircraft. Among these, AD/BEECH 200/32 pertains to the Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes and focuses on the left-hand rudder cable installation (Section 7/81). This directive applies to all model 200 with serial numbers BB-2 to BB-647, all model 200C with serial numbers BL-1 to BL-6, and all model 200T with serial numbers BT-1 to BT-13. The requirement here is that the installation of the left-hand rudder cable must be in accordance with Beechcraft Service Instruction No 1172. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1981. The background note indicates that the manufacturer has identified a potential issue where the left-hand rudder cable may have been incorrectly routed during the original installation, necessitating corrective action. The obligations imposed by AD/BEECH 200/32 are specific and must be strictly adhered to by the operators and maintenance personnel of the affected aircraft. Owners or operators of the specified Beechcraft 200 series aeroplanes must ensure that the left-hand rudder cable is installed correctly as per the manufacturer's instructions outlined in Service Instruction No 1172. This directive mandates that the corrective action must be taken within the specified timeframe to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft. The compliance must be documented and verified by authorised personnel, ensuring that the aircraft meet the necessary safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Failure to comply with AD/BEECH 200/32 may result in significant legal and operational consequences. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives is a serious matter and can lead to severe penalties. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, CASA has the authority to take enforcement actions against operators and owners who do not adhere to these directives. The penalties for non-compliance can include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to an incident or accident. The maximum penalties for such offences can vary, but they are significant enough to underscore the importance of strict adherence to the ADs. In some cases, civil penalties can include fines of up to $210,000 for corporations and $42,000 for individuals, alongside potential criminal penalties which could involve imprisonment. These measures are in place to ensure the highest standards of safety and reliability in civil aviation.