AD/BEECH 200/60 - Engine Fire Detector Wiring

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. One of the legislative instruments issued under this regulation is the AD/BEECH 200/60, which pertains to the Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) series aeroplanes. This specific directive addresses a safety concern identified during the production of certain model serial numbers where the existing engine fire detector system wiring was found to be at risk of failing under high heat or fire conditions, which could result in the failure of the engine fire detection system in the cockpit. The directive mandates the replacement of the existing wiring with fire resistant wiring, using the Engine Fire Detector Harness Kit part number 101-3208-1, to mitigate this risk. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by ensuring the reliability of critical engine fire detection systems in these aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandate certain airworthiness directives for the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. This particular directive, AD/BEECH 200/60, applies to specific models and serial numbers of the Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) series aeroplanes, which must replace their existing engine fire protection system wiring with fire resistant wiring using the Engine Fire Detector Harness Kit part number 101-3208-1. This replacement must be carried out in accordance with the instructions provided with the kit and references Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No 2701 issued in May 1997. The directive is applicable within the Commonwealth of Australia and requires compliance within 200 hours of the aircraft being in service after the directive's effective date of 16 July 1998. The directive aims to address the potential failure of the engine fire detector system wiring due to high heat or fire, thereby ensuring the safety of the aircraft and its occupants.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for various aircraft, including the Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) series aeroplanes. Section AD/BEECH 200/60 addresses a critical safety directive concerning the engine fire detector wiring of certain models and serial numbers of these aeroplanes. This directive mandates that the existing engine fire protection system wiring must be replaced with fire-resistant wiring, using the Engine Fire Detector Harness Kit part number 101-3208-1. The replacement must adhere to the instructions provided with the kit, as detailed in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No 2701 issued in May 1997. This directive applies to specific model and serial number ranges of the B200, B200C, and B200T series aircraft, ensuring that the wiring replacement is completed within 200 hours of time in service following the directive's effective date, which is 16 July 1998. The obligations under this directive are clear and specific. Owners and operators of the affected Beechcraft 200 series aeroplanes must ensure that the replacement of the engine fire detector system wiring is carried out as directed. This involves procuring the specified Engine Fire Detector Harness Kit, following the instructions included with the kit, and adhering to the guidance in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No 2701. The directive mandates that this replacement must be completed within 200 hours of the aircraft being in service after the directive's effective date. Failure to comply with this directive can result in significant safety risks, as the directive was issued to address a discovered vulnerability in the original wiring that could lead to system failure during high heat or fire conditions. Non-compliance with the airworthiness directive could have serious consequences, both legally and in terms of safety. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide for both civil and criminal penalties for violations. Civil penalties may include fines up to the maximum allowable by law, and in severe cases, the aircraft may be grounded until compliance is achieved. Criminal penalties can include imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness of neglecting safety directives that are designed to protect lives and property. The specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the directive itself but are governed by the broader provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations. Ensuring adherence to this directive is therefore not only a regulatory requirement but a critical safety imperative.