AD/BEECH 23/34 - Fuel Return Placard

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, includes specific directives aimed at maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft, with a particular focus on the Beechcraft 19, 23, and 24 series aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/BEECH 23/34, pertains to the fuel return placard for models A23 and A23A with serial numbers ranging from M-555 to M-1094. This directive was introduced to ensure compliance with Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 0929, which is intended to address a specific safety concern related to the fuel system of these aircraft models. The directive requires action to be taken within 100 hours of time in service following 31 March 1978, reflecting the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation. This legislative instrument was enacted by the Australian Government to ensure that all relevant aircraft meet the required safety standards, thus protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of the aviation industry.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, include specific directives concerning the airworthiness of certain aircraft, with particular attention given to the Beechcraft 19, 23 and 24 series aeroplanes. Under this legislation, Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 23/34 mandates that for models A23 and A23A with serial numbers ranging from M-555 to M-1094, a fuel return placard must be installed in compliance with Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 0929. This requirement applies to all aircraft within the specified serial number range and must be fulfilled within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1978. The directive ensures that the aircraft maintain appropriate safety standards and is applicable to the specified models of Beechcraft aeroplanes within the Commonwealth of Australia, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. No exclusions or exemptions are stated within the scope of this directive, and it applies uniformly to all affected aircraft operating under Australian jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertaining to Beechcraft 19, 23, and 24 Series Aeroplanes (section 1). This directive, AD/BEECH 23/34, concerns the Fuel Return Placard for Models A23 and A23A with serial numbers M-555 to M-1094 (section 2). The directive applies to these specific models and serial numbers, establishing a requirement that action must be taken in accordance with Beechcraft Service Information (SI) No. 0929 (section 3). The compliance requirement stipulates that this action must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1978 (section 4). The obligations imposed by this directive on the operators and owners of the affected aircraft are clear and specific. They must ensure that the action outlined in Beechcraft SI No. 0929 is carried out on the designated models and serial numbers of the Beechcraft 19, 23, and 24 Series Aeroplanes (section 1). This involves making the necessary modifications or adjustments to the fuel return placards as specified in the service information. Operators and owners are also required to document the compliance within the stipulated timeframe of 100 hours of time in service following the specified date of 31 March 1978 (section 4). Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive may result in severe consequences. Non-compliance with AD/BEECH 23/34 could lead to the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially resulting in grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. This not only poses operational disruptions but also significant safety risks. The regulatory framework under which the Civil Aviation Regulations operate also allows for enforcement actions, including fines and potential criminal charges for individuals or entities found in breach of these regulations. The specific penalties, however, are not detailed in the text, but they can be severe under Australian aviation law, reflecting the critical nature of airworthiness directives in maintaining safety standards.