AD/BEECH 200/33 - Pilot and Co-Pilot Seat Back Pan

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes Airworthiness Directives for various aircraft, one of which addresses the Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes. This legislation, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, aims to ensure the safety of aircraft by mandating specific maintenance and operational requirements. AD/BEECH 200/33 pertains to the pilot and co-pilot seat back pan, requiring action to be taken in accordance with Beechcraft Service Instruction No 1176. This directive was introduced to address a potential safety issue where the shoulder harness could jam, leading to slack in the assembly due to insufficient clearance in the seat structure. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1981, for specified serial numbers of the Beechcraft 200 series. The underlying policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by preventing mechanical failures that could compromise the integrity of the shoulder harness during flight. This directive is part of a broader regulatory framework aimed at ensuring that all aircraft meet the highest standards of airworthiness, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the general public. The enactment of this directive by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, underscores the commitment to rigorous safety standards within the aviation industry.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, addresses the Airworthiness Directives for particular aircraft models, in this instance the Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all models 200 and B200 with serial numbers BB-415 to BB-837, all models 200C with serial numbers BL-1 to BL-32, and all models 200T with serial numbers BT-5 to BT-18. The regulation mandates adherence to the specifications outlined in Beechcraft Service Instruction No 1176, which involves the installation of a seat back pan to mitigate the risk of the shoulder harness jamming and causing slack in the assembly due to insufficient clearance in the seat structure. Compliance with this directive is necessary unless the action has already been completed, and it must be carried out within 100 hours of the aircraft being in service after 31 July 1981. The scope of the Act is strictly confined to the specified aircraft models and serial number ranges, ensuring that the safety measures are uniformly applied across the relevant fleet.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, contain a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD) which includes AD/BEECH 200/33. This particular directive pertains to the Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes, more specifically to the pilot and co-pilot seat back pan. Section 1 of this directive applies to all models 200 and B200 with serial numbers (S/Nos) BB-415 to BB-837, all models 200C with S/Nos BL-1 to BL-32, and all models 200T with S/Nos BT-5 to BT-18. The primary requirement, as stated in Section 2, is that the action must be taken in accordance with Beechcraft Service Information (SI) No 1176. This action must be completed unless it has already been accomplished, within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1981, as outlined in Section 3. Section 4 of the directive imposes a compliance obligation on the relevant aircraft owners and operators. They must ensure that the required modifications or checks are made to the seat back pan to prevent potential jamming of the shoulder harness. This jamming could cause slack in the assembly due to insufficient clearance in the seat structure, which poses a safety risk. Section 5 provides the background and rationale behind the directive, explaining that the issue is related to the potential for the shoulder harness to jam, which could compromise safety. Section 6 addresses the consequences of non-compliance with the AD. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with ADs generally results in civil or criminal consequences under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. This can include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the breach. The exact penalties can be found in the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and related regulations. Failure to comply with these directives can lead to severe ramifications, including potential grounding of the aircraft and legal action against the operators or owners. The overarching intent of these provisions is to ensure that the aircraft meet the required safety standards to protect the lives of those onboard.