AD/BEECH 200/48 - Ailerons

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), include specific provisions for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft, such as the Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes. This legislation was enacted to address safety concerns related to the operation of civil aviation aircraft, particularly in response to identified hazards that could compromise flight safety. The regulation focuses on ensuring that aircraft meet the necessary safety standards, thereby safeguarding the public and maintaining the integrity of the aviation industry. The policy objective is to prevent accidents and incidents by enforcing compliance with airworthiness directives and mandatory service bulletins, ensuring that all aircraft are maintained in a safe and reliable condition. One particular example of such regulations is found in the Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 200/48, which pertains to the aileron systems of specific Beechcraft 200 series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address a potential safety issue where foam within the aileron could retain water, leading to an imbalance that might cause control surface flutter. The directive mandates that corrective action be taken in accordance with Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No 2256, with compliance required before exceeding 100 hours of service time after 25 January 1990, or at the next scheduled inspection for a Maintenance Release following this date. This proactive measure aims to mitigate the risk of in-flight control issues, ensuring that all affected aircraft are maintained to the required safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to certain Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) series aeroplanes. This legislation mandates compliance with Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No 2256, addressing issues related to aileron balance and control surface flutter, as referenced in FAA AD 89-22-14. The directive applies to specific models and serial numbers of the Beechcraft 200, including Model B200 with serial numbers BB-1246 through BB-1271 and BB-1273 through BB-1285, Model A200 CT with serial numbers BP-59 through BP-63, and Model B200 C with serial numbers BP-64 through BP-66 and BV-1 through BV-8. Additionally, the directive covers any aircraft that may have had replacement ailerons installed after 1 January 1985. Compliance with the directive is required before the aircraft exceeds 100 hours of time in service after 25 January 1990, or at the next scheduled inspection for the issuance of a Maintenance Release after 25 January 1990, whichever comes later. The directive aims to prevent the retention of water in foam, which could lead to an aileron out of balance condition and subsequent control surface flutter.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, including AD/BEECH 200/48, which pertains to Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes (Section 1). This directive applies to particular models and serial numbers of the Beechcraft 200 series, including B200, A200 CT, and B200 C, and any aircraft with replacement ailerons installed after 1 January 1985 (Section 2). The directive mandates that action be taken in accordance with Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) No 2256, which references FAA AD 89-22-14 (Section 3). The directive requires compliance by ensuring the aircraft does not exceed 100 hours of time in service after 25 January 1990 or at the next scheduled maintenance inspection for the issuance of a Maintenance Release after 25 January 1990, whichever occurs later (Section 4). This requirement ensures that any issues related to foam retaining water and causing an out-of-balance condition, which could lead to control surface flutter, are addressed in a timely manner. The obligations imposed by AD/BEECH 200/48 are specific to the relevant aircraft models and serial numbers. Operators and owners of these aircraft must ensure that the prescribed actions are undertaken to maintain airworthiness standards. This involves adherence to the Beechcraft Mandatory SB No 2256, which includes detailed steps to address the identified issue with the ailerons. It is essential for operators to maintain accurate records of the aircraft's service hours and maintenance inspections to comply with the stipulated timeframes. The directive underscores the importance of prompt action to mitigate potential safety risks associated with aileron imbalance. Failure to comply with AD/BEECH 200/48 may result in significant consequences. Non-compliance could lead to operational restrictions, where the aircraft may be deemed unairworthy until the required actions are completed. Such non-compliance could also result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The potential penalties for non-compliance include fines and other civil or criminal sanctions as outlined in the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and other related regulations. The exact penalties depend on the severity and impact of the non-compliance, but they can be substantial, reflecting the importance of adhering to airworthiness directives for the safety of air travel.