Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 200/69 in 2003 to address safety concerns identified in Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) series aeroplanes. This directive was enacted under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, and it applies to specific models of the Beechcraft 200 series with serial numbers listed in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3187, Revision 1. The problem this directive addresses is the improper installation of elevator balance weight attachment screws, which can lead to elevator jamming during critical phases of flight such as takeoff and landing. This was identified as an unsafe condition following reports of three such incidents. The policy objective of AD/BEECH 200/69 is to ensure the safety of these aircraft by requiring specific actions to rectify the unsafe condition. This includes checking the aircraft logbook to verify if the elevators have been removed, inspecting the elevator balance weight attachment screws for correct length, rebalancing the elevators if necessary, and ensuring that any rebalanced elevators are reinstalled with the correct hardware. The directive sets specific timelines for compliance, with immediate action required for rebalancing before further flight and checks to be completed within 200 hours after the directive's issuance.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies specifically to Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series aeroplanes, including Models 200, 200C, 200T/B200T, 200CT, B200, B200C, and B200CT, which are identified by serial numbers listed in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) SB 27-3187, Revision 1, Revised September 2001. The AD mandates certain actions to rectify an unsafe condition identified with the elevator balance weight attachment, impacting the airworthiness and safety of these aircraft. The requirements of this AD must be adhered to by operators, maintenance personnel, and other relevant entities responsible for the upkeep and operation of the specified aircraft models. This AD has a national jurisdictional reach within Australia, as it is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and applies to all aircraft registered in Australia. The AD does not explicitly mention any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but the actions required are contingent upon specific conditions, such as whether the elevators have been removed or if complete records exist. The AD also references the need to comply with the Accomplishment Instructions section of Raytheon MSB SB 27-3187 Revision 1, and other applicable maintenance manuals, to ensure that the specified corrective actions are correctly implemented.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BEECH 200/69 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) pertains to the Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes. Specifically, it addresses the elevator balance weight attachment issue that has been identified as a safety concern (section 1). According to the applicability section (section 2), the AD applies to Models 200, 200C, 200T/B200T, 200CT, B200, B200C, and B200CT aircraft with serial numbers listed in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) SB 27-3187, Revision 1, Revised September 2001. The requirement section (section 3) outlines the necessary actions to correct the unsafe condition. Firstly, the aircraft logbook must be checked to determine whether the elevators have been removed. If the logbook indicates that the elevators have never been removed, no further action is required. However, if the logbook shows that the elevators have been removed, or if complete records of elevator removal do not exist, the elevator balance weight attachment screws must be inspected to determine if they are the correct length. If the screws are the correct length, no further action is required. However, if the screws are found to be of the incorrect length, the elevators must be removed and rebalanced using the appropriate new elevator balance weight attachment bolts. It is crucial that the new bolts have drilled heads and are secured with safety wire. Lastly, an elevator that has been rebalanced must not be installed unless it has been rebalanced using the appropriate new balance weight attachment bolts. The AD imposes several obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Firstly, it requires the examination of the aircraft logbook to ascertain whether the elevators have been removed. Secondly, if the logbook does not provide sufficient information, an inspection of the elevator balance weight attachment screws must be conducted. If the screws are found to be of the incorrect length, the elevators must be removed and rebalanced using the appropriate new elevator balance weight attachment bolts. Additionally, the AD mandates that an elevator rebalanced with the correct new bolts must be installed, and the installation of an incorrectly rebalanced elevator is prohibited. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in serious safety implications, including the potential for elevator jamming during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing. Breaching the provisions of the AD may lead to serious consequences, including civil and criminal penalties. The AD is a regulatory requirement issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, and non-compliance may result in enforcement action by CASA. The specific consequences of non-compliance depend on the nature and severity of the breach. However, in general, CASA has the authority to impose fines, issue compliance orders, and take other regulatory actions to ensure compliance with the AD. Additionally, in cases where non-compliance results in an accident or incident, criminal charges may be brought against the responsible parties. The maximum penalties for breaches of the AD are not explicitly stated in the text; however, the potential consequences of non-compliance are severe and may include substantial fines, enforcement actions, and criminal charges.