COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 200/51
Amdt 1
Nacelle Aft Cowling Door 8/92
Applicability: Models and serial numbers as listed in Beechcraft MSB 2416 Revision 1.
Requirement: (a) Inspect and modify the aft engine cowling doors of both engine nacelles in accordance with Beech MSB 2416 Revision 1.
(b) If the aft engine cowling doors of both nacelles have been inspected and modified in accordance with the original issue of Beech MSB 2416 (as required by superseded FAA AD 91-18-11), then no further action is required by this Directive.
Note 1. The configuration of certain early model aircraft made compliance with the original issue of Beech MSB 2416, as required by superseded FAA AD 91-18-11, impossible.
Note 2. FAA AD 92-10-12 Amdt 39-8246 refers.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished; within 50 hours time in service after 23 July 1992. The compliance of the previous issue of this Directive was as specified in the Requirement Document with a revised effective date of 2 October 1991 for Australian registered aircraft.
This Amendment is effective from 23 July 1992.
Background: The FAA has received eleven reports of the aft cowling doors separating from the aircraft. The separated engine cowling doors in some instances have struck the fuselage, wing, empennage, cabin windows, and other parts of the aircraft. This Directive required a one-time inspection and modification of the cowling doors. Amendment 1 is issued in response to the FAA determination that early production Beech 200 series aircraft have different stiffening beads on the inside of the cowling doors. Updated service information has now been issued which specifies procedures for inspecting and modifying nacelles on all of the affected aircraft.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes. Enacted in 1998 by the Australian Parliament, this regulation was introduced to address safety concerns related to the aft engine cowling doors of these aircraft. The directive aims to ensure compliance with safety standards to prevent incidents where the aft cowling doors separate from the aircraft, potentially causing damage to the aircraft's structure and endangering passengers and crew. The AD requires inspection and modification of the aft engine cowling doors according to specified procedures and was prompted by reports of such separations in the United States, leading to necessary safety measures for Australian registered aircraft. This amendment was issued to ensure ongoing airworthiness and safety, particularly for early model aircraft where specific configurations required additional attention.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the safety standards for aircraft operations within Australia, including adherence to Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This legislative instrument applies to Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) series aeroplanes, as specified in the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. The directive mandates that operators of these aircraft must inspect and modify the aft engine cowling doors of both engine nacelles in accordance with Beechcraft MSB 2416 Revision 1. For aircraft where the aft engine cowling doors have already been inspected and modified under the original issue of Beech MSB 2416, no further action is required. The directive applies to models and serial numbers as listed in Beechcraft MSB 2416 Revision 1 and requires compliance within 50 hours time in service after 23 July 1992. This legislative instrument extends to all aircraft registered in Australia and adheres to international safety standards, ensuring the safe operation of civil aircraft within Australian airspace.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, include specific provisions governing the airworthiness of aircraft, with Amendment 1 to Airworthiness Directive (AD/BEECH 200/51) addressing the aft cowling doors of Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) series aeroplanes (sections 39-105). This directive mandates that the aft engine cowling doors of both engine nacelles must be inspected and modified in accordance with Beechcraft MSB 2416 Revision 1 (section 39-105(a)). If the aircraft in question has already undergone the inspection and modification procedures as per the original issue of Beechcraft MSB 2416 (superseded by FAA AD 91-18-11), then no further action is required under this directive (section 39-105(b)).
Operators of affected aircraft must ensure that the inspection and modification of the aft engine cowling doors are carried out within 50 hours of time in service after 23 July 1992. The compliance with the previous version of this directive, as per the Requirement Document, was effective from 2 October 1991 for aircraft registered in Australia (section 39-105). This amendment came into effect on 23 July 1992. Operators must also consider that early production Beech 200 series aircraft may have different stiffening beads on the inside of the cowling doors, necessitating updated procedures for inspection and modification as specified in the directive (section 39-105).
Failure to comply with these provisions may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential operational disruptions and legal consequences. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reported incidents where the aft cowling doors separated from the aircraft, causing damage to various parts of the plane, including the fuselage, wing, empennage, cabin windows, and other components (section 39-105). The directive aims to mitigate such risks by ensuring that the cowling doors are securely fastened and modified to prevent separation.
The consequences for non-compliance with these airworthiness directives are severe, as they can lead to grounding of the aircraft and potential enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). While the regulations do not explicitly state the maximum penalties, they do provide for substantial fines and potential imprisonment for individuals and corporations found in breach of these safety requirements. The seriousness of these potential penalties underscores the importance of strict adherence to the mandated inspection and modification procedures to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft.