AD/BEECH 23/39 Amdt 1 - Fuel Selector Stop and Decal

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through the Legislative Instrument F2006B03753, addresses the specific safety concerns related to the fuel selector mechanism of certain Beechcraft aeroplanes. This legislative instrument was enacted to ensure the continued airworthiness of the Beechcraft 19, 23, and 24 series aeroplanes by mandating corrective actions as outlined in Beechcraft Service Bulletin No. 2053. The enacting body responsible for these regulations is the Australian Parliament, which aims to maintain and enhance aviation safety through the enforcement of stringent airworthiness directives. The policy objective is to ensure that the specified aircraft models meet necessary safety standards, thereby mitigating risks associated with fuel system failures. Compliance with these directives is crucial to prevent operational hazards and to ensure the safety of passengers and crew on board.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to the maintenance and operation of Beechcraft 19, 23, and 24 series aeroplanes. This legislation mandates compliance with the Service Bulletin (SB) No 2053, which supersedes the previous requirement document SI1095. The directive applies to specific serial numbers of the mentioned aircraft models, ensuring that any aircraft operator must adhere to the specified maintenance actions outlined in SB2053. The directive mandates compliance before the issue of the next Maintenance Release following 31 May 1985. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, applying across Australia as it pertains to the civil aviation sector governed by CASA. This legislative instrument extends its application through subordinate instruments, which can include further specifications and clarifications on compliance requirements.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, contain a specific airworthiness directive for Beechcraft 19, 23, and 24 series aeroplanes (sections 5/85). This directive applies to certain models with specific serial numbers, including A23-19, 19A, M19A, B19, B19 Sport 150, 23, A23, A23A, B23, C23, C23 Sundowner 180, A23-24, A24, A24R, B24R, and C24R Sierra 200. The directive mandates that these aircraft must comply with Beechcraft Service Bulletin No 2053, which supersedes the previous Requirement Document SI1095. The compliance must be achieved before the next Maintenance Release after 31 May 1985, and previous compliance with SI1095 is considered sufficient for this directive. The obligations imposed by this directive on the operators and owners of the affected Beechcraft aircraft are to ensure that the necessary actions outlined in Service Bulletin No 2053 are carried out. This involves verifying the aircraft's compliance with the new directive and ensuring that any required modifications or inspections are performed within the specified timeframe. The directive also requires maintaining accurate records of compliance and any actions taken to meet the requirements of the airworthiness directive. Failure to comply with this directive can result in serious consequences. Civil penalties may be imposed for non-compliance, which could include fines up to a maximum of $1,650,000 for corporations and $330,000 for individuals, depending on the severity and frequency of the breach. Additionally, the operation of a non-compliant aircraft could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, potentially resulting in the suspension or revocation of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate. This, in turn, could lead to grounded aircraft and significant operational disruptions for the operator.