Overview

The Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 200/71, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in 2004, specifically targets Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) series aeroplanes to address an unsafe condition identified in the fuselage rear pressure bulkhead. This condition involved severe scoring and cracking that could lead to structural failure, discovered during routine maintenance. The directive mandates an inspection and repair of the bulkhead to mitigate the risk of fatigue cracks and potential failure. It aims to ensure the airworthiness of the specified aircraft by requiring compliance with Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 53-3513 Rev 1, aligning with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) directive AD 2003-13-16 Amdt 39-13218. This measure was introduced to prevent accidents resulting from structural failure and to maintain high safety standards in Australian aviation.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) series aeroplanes, including models 200, B200, 200C, B200C, 200T, and B200T, with serial numbers as listed in Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin 53-3513 Rev 1, page 1, or any aircraft that have undergone post-production removal and installation of insulation material in the rear pressure bulkhead area. This directive, issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandates that inspections for score marks and necessary repairs on the forward side of the aft pressure bulkhead be conducted in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 53-3513 Rev 1. Compliance with this directive requires that the inspection be performed once only, no later than six calendar months from 11 February 2004, with the directive itself becoming effective on 15 April 2004. The directive applies within the jurisdictional reach of the Commonwealth of Australia, as notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 24 March 2004.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) outlined in the document (AD/BEECH 200/71) pertains to Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) series aeroplanes, including specific models with serial numbers listed in Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin 53-3513 Rev 1, as well as any aircraft that have undergone post-production removal and installation of insulation material in the rear pressure bulkhead area. The primary requirement of this AD, as stated in section (a), is that an inspection for scoring damage on the forward side of the aft pressure bulkhead must be conducted. If scoring is found, repairs must be made in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 53-3513 Rev 1. This inspection must be carried out once only and no later than six calendar months from 11 February 2004, as per section (c). The AD was issued on 4 March 2004 and became effective on 15 April 2004. The AD imposes specific obligations on the owners and operators of the affected aircraft. These parties must ensure that the inspection and any necessary repairs are performed in compliance with the instructions provided in Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 53-3513 Rev 1. The directive aims to address the identified safety issue of severe scoring and potential cracking of the rear pressure bulkhead, which could lead to a structural failure. The AD ensures that all relevant aircraft are inspected and any damage is rectified to maintain airworthiness standards. Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD could lead to significant safety risks, potentially resulting in severe consequences for the aircraft, its occupants, and other parties. Although the document does not explicitly outline specific penalties or legal consequences for non-compliance, non-compliance with ADs generally may result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions could include the issuance of fines, the grounding of non-compliant aircraft, or other regulatory measures deemed necessary to ensure compliance and maintain safety standards. The severity of the penalties may depend on the extent of non-compliance and the risk posed to aviation safety.