AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Beechcraft 300 Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 300/16 Elevator Balance Weight Attachment 2/2003
Applicability: Models 300/300LW, B300, and B300C aircraft, with serial numbers listed in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) SB 27-3187, Revision 1, Revised September 2001.
Requirement: 1. Check the aircraft logbook to determine whether the elevator(s) have been removed. If, by checking the logbook, it can be positively determined that the elevators have never been removed, no further action is required.
2. If, by checking the logbook, it can determined that the elevator(s) has/have been removed, or if complete records of elevator(s) do not exist, inspect the elevator balance weight attachment screws to determine if they are the correct length in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions section of Raytheon MSB SB 27-3187 Revision 1. If the inspection reveals the elevator balance weight attachment screws are the correct length, no further action is required.
3. If, during the Requirement 2 inspection, the elevator balance weight attachment screw(s) are found to be incorrect length, remove and rebalance the elevator(s) by installing the balance weights with the appropriate new elevator balance weight attachment bolts in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions section of Raytheon MSB SB 27-3187 Revision 1, and the applicable maintenance manua l.
4. Do not install, on any affected aircraft, an elevator that has been rebalanced unless it has been rebalanced by installing the balance weights with the appropriate new balance weight attachment bolts, part number in the range of NAS6703HU12 through NAS6703HU22, that have drilled heads and are secured with safety wire.
Note: FAA AD 2002-23-11 Amdt 39-12955 refers.
Compliance: For Requirements 1 and 2: Within 200 hours time in service after 20 February 2003.
Requirement 3: Before further flight. Requirement 4: As of 20 February 2003.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 20 February 2003.
Beechcraft 300 Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 300/16 (continued)
Background: The FAA received reports of three incidents in which the elevator jammed during takeoff and landing on Models 200, B300, and 1900C aircraft. Investigation revealed the cause of the elevator jam was that the attachment screws and balance weights were not properly installed when the elevators were balanced after they were removed for repair or repainting.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 19 December 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 29 January 2003.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BEECH 300/16 was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on 19 December 2002 and became effective on 20 February 2003. This AD was introduced to address safety concerns related to improper installation of elevator balance weights and attachment screws on Beechcraft 300 series aeroplanes, specifically Models 300/300LW, B300, and B300C, with certain serial numbers. This problem was identified following reports of elevator jamming during critical phases of flight, leading to potential safety hazards. The policy objective behind this AD is to ensure the safe operation of affected aircraft by mandating specific inspections and corrective actions to prevent elevator jamming incidents.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Beechcraft 300 Series aeroplanes, including models 300/300LW, B300, and B300C, with serial numbers listed in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) SB 27-3187, Revision 1. This directive is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate and is applicable within the Commonwealth of Australia. The directive mandates specific actions to address the unsafe condition identified, which involves the improper installation of elevator balance weight attachment screws. This can lead to elevator jamming during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing. The requirements of the AD include checking the aircraft logbook to ascertain whether the elevators have been removed, inspecting the elevator balance weight attachment screws if necessary, and rebalancing the elevators if the screws are found to be the incorrect length. These actions must be undertaken within certain timeframes, with some requiring immediate attention before further flight, while others must be completed within 200 hours of the AD's effective date, 20 February 2003. The directive does not apply to aircraft whose logbooks clearly indicate that the elevators have never been removed. The AD is binding across the Commonwealth and is published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 29 January 2003 to ensure widespread awareness and compliance.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 pertains specifically to the Beechcraft 300 Series Aeroplanes, models 300/300LW, B300, and B300C, with serial numbers listed in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) SB 27-3187, Revision 1, dated September 2001 (section applicability). The AD requires various actions to ensure the safe operation of these aircraft by addressing an identified unsafe condition related to the elevator balance weight attachment. If, by checking the aircraft logbook, it can be determined that the elevators have never been removed, no further action is necessary (section requirement 1). If the elevators have been removed or if there are incomplete records, the length of the elevator balance weight attachment screws must be inspected (section requirement 2). If the screws are not the correct length, they must be replaced, and the elevators rebalanced using the correct new screws (section requirement 3). Furthermore, any rebalanced elevator must be installed using screws with part numbers in the range of NAS6703HU12 through NAS6703HU22, which have drilled heads and are secured with safety wire (section requirement 4).
Operators and maintenance personnel of the affected aircraft are required to follow the instructions outlined in the AD. Specifically, they must check the aircraft logbook for records of elevator removal and inspect the elevator balance weight attachment screws (section requirement). If the screws are found to be incorrect, they must be replaced and the elevators rebalanced as per the Accomplishment Instructions section of Raytheon MSB SB 27-3187 Revision 1 and the applicable maintenance manual. Moreover, any rebalanced elevator must be installed using screws that meet the specified part numbers and are secured with safety wire (section requirement). These actions are necessary to mitigate the risk of elevator jamming during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing.
Failure to comply with the AD can result in significant safety risks. Specifically, if the elevator balance weight attachment screws are not correctly installed, it can lead to the elevator jamming during critical flight phases, posing a serious hazard to the aircraft and its occupants. The AD stipulates specific compliance timelines: checks and inspections must be performed within 200 hours of time in service after 20 February 2003, and any necessary rebalancing must be completed before further flight (section compliance). Non-compliance with these requirements can lead to severe consequences, including potential grounding of the aircraft until the necessary actions are taken. In addition, operators may face penalties, including fines and other regulatory actions, if they fail to adhere to the AD's stipulations.