AD/BEECH 23/36 - Stabilator Trim Tab Actuator Rod

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to provide comprehensive regulation of civil aviation safety in Australia. These regulations were introduced to address the need for a cohesive and enforceable framework governing the safety aspects of civil aviation operations, ensuring the protection of the public and the integrity of the national airspace. The enacting body was the Australian Parliament, with the policy objective of maintaining the highest possible safety standards in civil aviation. The specific legislative instrument F2006B03750, pertaining to Beechcraft 19, 23, and 24 Series Aeroplanes, mandates compliance with certain stabilator trim tab actuator rod requirements as outlined in Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 0994. This directive applies to specific serial numbers of the mentioned aircraft models and requires compliance within 25 hours of time in service after 3 July 1978. This instrument aims to address potential safety issues by ensuring timely and appropriate maintenance actions are taken on affected aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the implementation of Airworthiness Directives (AD) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. This regulation applies to certain models of Beechcraft 19, 23, and 24 series aeroplanes with specified serial numbers. For instance, it includes Models B19 with serial numbers ranging from MB-558 through MB-886, Models C23 with serial numbers such as M-1413 to M-2020, and Models B24R and C24R with serial numbers from MC-151 to MC-571. The directive requires compliance with Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 0994 concerning the stabilator trim tab actuator rod, with a compliance period of 25 hours of time in service after 3 July 1978. This regulation applies on a Commonwealth level and encompasses specific aircraft models and serial numbers, ensuring that the safety measures outlined are implemented to maintain airworthiness standards across the relevant aircraft fleet.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 (subsections), address the airworthiness directives for Beechcraft 19, 23, and 24 Series aeroplanes, with a focus on the stabilator trim tab actuator rod (section 39-105.08/78). The directive applies to certain serial numbers of the models B19, C23, B24R, and C24R (section 39-105.08/78). The requirement is that the stabilator trim tab actuator rod must be addressed in accordance with Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 0994. This action must be completed within 25 hours of time in service after 3 July 1978. The Act imposes specific obligations on the operators of these aircraft models to ensure compliance with the stabilator trim tab actuator rod directive. Operators must ensure that the action specified in Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 0994 is performed on the applicable aircraft within the stipulated timeframe. This includes conducting a thorough inspection and, if necessary, making the required modifications to the stabilator trim tab actuator rod to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with these directives can lead to serious consequences. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives is a breach of the Civil Aviation Regulations, which can result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Depending on the severity and nature of the breach, consequences can include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates of airworthiness, and potentially criminal charges against individuals responsible for the oversight of the aircraft. The maximum penalties for non-compliance may include substantial financial penalties and imprisonment for individuals found guilty of wilfully disregarding the safety directives.