AD/BEECH 300/8 Amdt 2 - Wing Attach Fittings, Bolts and Nuts

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au F2016L01472 Not in force Legislative Instrument

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Explanatory Statement

 

Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998

 

AD/BEECH 300/ Amdt 2 — Wing Attach Fittings, Bolts and Nuts

 

Under section 98 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (the Act), the Governor-General may make regulations for the Act and in the interests of the safety of air navigation. Under regulation 39.001 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998), CASA may issue an airworthiness directive (AD) for a kind of aircraft or aeronautical product. Under subsections 98 (5B) and (5BA) of the Act, an AD is a legislative instrument unless it is expressed to apply in relation to a particular person, a particular aircraft or a particular aeronautical product. Therefore, this AD is a legislative instrument.

 

Under subsection 33 (3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, where an Act confers a power to make, grant or issue any instrument of a legislative or administrative character (including rules, regulations or by-laws), the power shall be construed as including a power exercisable in the like manner and subject to the like conditions (if any) to repeal, rescind, revoke, amend, or vary any such instrument.

 

Under Annex 8 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the State of Design has overall responsibility for continuing airworthiness of an aircraft type, and must provide any information necessary to ensure the continuing airworthiness of a type to appropriate States of Registry. ADs (and their equivalents) are the most common form of continuing airworthiness information, and are issued by most International Civil Aviation Organization Contracting States.

 

The State of Registry of an individual aircraft is responsible for its continuing airworthiness. Under Annex 8, the State of Registry must develop or adopt requirements to ensure the continuing airworthiness of aircraft.

 

CASA issued AD/BEECH 300/8 Amdt 1 to correct an unsafe situation on Beechcraft 300 series aircraft in 2003. AD/BEECH 300/8 Amdt 1 was issued to mandate the life limits and inspection period of outer wing attach bolts and nuts. The State of Design for this type, The United States of America, has not yet taken action to correct this unsafe condition. As there are several examples of the type on the Australian register, CASA has developed an AD to correct the problem on Australian aircraft. As a result of a request from industry, CASA reviewed AD/BEECH 300/8 Amdt 1, and issued AD/BEECH 300/8 Amdt 2 to extend the life limit for outboard (upper forward, upper and lower aft) wing bolts and nuts from 15 years or 15000 hours component time in service, whichever occurs first, to 20 years or 20000 hours component time in service, whichever occurs first, in accordance with the aircraft manufacturer’s documentation. This AD repeals and replaces the previous AD on this subject.

 

Consultation

 

This AD is being made at the request of industry, in particular an operator of the Beechcraft 300 series aircraft. As this AD amendment is of a minor or machinery nature and does not substantially alter existing arrangements apart from extending the life limits of some parts detailed in the AD and thereby providing relief to industry, it is CASA’s view that it was not necessary or appropriate to undertake any further consultation under section 17 of the Legislation Act 2003.

 

Regulation Impact Statement

 

A Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) is not required because ADs are covered by a standing agreement between CASA and the Office of Best Practice Regulation under which a RIS is not required for ADs.

 

Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

 

A Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights is at Attachment 1.

 

Making and commencement

 

The instrument has been made by a delegate of CASA relying on the power of delegation under subregulation 11.260 (1) of CASR 1998 and subsection 94 (1) of the Act.

 

The instrument commences on 28 September 2016.

 

 

 

[Instrument number AD/BEECH 300/8 Amdt 2]

Attachment 1

Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the
Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011

 

AD/BEECH 300/8 Amdt 2 – Wing Attach Fittings, Bolts and Nuts

 

This legislative instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

 

Overview of the legislative instrument

 

CASA issued AD/BEECH 300/8 Amdt 1 to correct an unsafe situation on Beechcraft 300 series aircraft in 2003.  The State of Design for this type, The United States of America, has not yet taken action to correct this unsafe condition. As there are several examples of the type on the Australian register, CASA has developed an AD to correct the problem on Australian aircraft. As a result of a request from industry, CASA has repealed and replaced AD/BEECH 300/8 Amdt 1 to extend the life limit for outboard (upper forward, upper and lower aft) wing bolts and nuts from 15 years or 15000 hours component time in service to 20 years or 20000 hours component time in service in accordance with the aircraft manufacturer’s documentation.

 

The primary purpose of this legislative instrument is to amend the life limits for parts detailed in Requirement paragraph 2 of the AD to correspond with life limits contained in the aircraft manufacturer’s documentation.

 

Human rights implications

 

This legislative instrument does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.

 

Conclusion

 

This legislative instrument is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.

 

Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 were enacted to ensure the safety of air navigation in Australia, providing a regulatory framework under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The problem addressed by the AD/BEECH 300/ Amdt 2 relates to the unsafe situation identified with certain wing attach fittings, bolts, and nuts on Beechcraft 300 series aircraft. Despite the State of Design, the United States of America, not having taken action to rectify this issue, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued AD/BEECH 300/8 Amdt 1 in 2003 to mandate life limits and inspection periods for these components. In response to industry requests, CASA subsequently reviewed and amended this directive with AD/BEECH 300/8 Amdt 2, extending the life limits of specific wing bolts and nuts to align with the manufacturer's documentation. This legislative instrument, made under the authority conferred by the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, aims to enhance the safety and airworthiness of Beechcraft 300 series aircraft registered in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 Amendment Instrument AD/BEECH 300/8 Amdt 2 is a legislative instrument issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988. This amendment applies specifically to the Beechcraft 300 series aircraft registered in Australia, focusing on the wing attach fittings, bolts, and nuts. The regulation extends the life limit for these components from 15 years or 15,000 hours of component time in service to 20 years or 20,000 hours, aligning with the aircraft manufacturer's documentation. This amendment aims to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft in Australia, particularly as the State of Design, the United States of America, has not yet taken action to address this safety issue. The amendment repeals and replaces the previous airworthiness directive AD/BEECH 300/8 Amdt 1. CASA has determined that further consultation was not necessary under the Legislation Act 2003 as this amendment is of a minor nature and does not substantially alter existing arrangements. The instrument is compatible with human rights, as detailed in the Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights attached to the legislation.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) govern the safety of air navigation in Australia, with specific regulations laid out in sections such as 39.001 and 98. Under section 98 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, the Governor-General has the authority to create regulations to ensure air navigation safety. Regulation 39.001 of the CASR 1998 allows the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue airworthiness directives (ADs) for aircraft or aeronautical products. ADs serve as legislative instruments unless they are specific to a person, aircraft, or aeronautical product, as outlined in subsections 98(5B) and (5BA) of the Act. The AD/BEECH 300/8 Amdt 2, issued by CASA, is a legislative instrument that amends the life limits for certain wing bolts and nuts on Beechcraft 300 series aircraft. The AD/BEECH 300/8 Amdt 2 imposes specific obligations on aircraft operators and maintenance personnel concerning the life limits of the outboard wing attach bolts and nuts on Beechcraft 300 series aircraft. These obligations include adhering to the extended life limits set by the AD, ensuring that these components are inspected and maintained according to the new requirements, and keeping records of these inspections and maintenance activities. The AD also mandates that any modifications or repairs to these components must comply with the manufacturer's documentation and CASA's specifications. Breaches of the AD/BEECH 300/8 Amdt 2 can result in significant civil and criminal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an airworthiness directive is an offence, and individuals or companies found in breach may face penalties. The maximum penalty for contravening the AD is set out in the Act and can include substantial fines or imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on aviation safety. Additionally, non-compliance can lead to the grounding of affected aircraft, which can have severe operational and financial repercussions for the operators. CASA has determined that this AD is not subject to further consultation under section 17 of the Legislation Act 2003 because it is considered a minor amendment that does not substantially alter existing arrangements. Furthermore, a Regulation Impact Statement is not required as ADs are covered by a standing agreement between CASA and the Office of Best Practice Regulation. The AD/BEECH 300/8 Amdt 2 has been made by a delegate of CASA under the authority granted by subregulation 11.260(1) of the CASR 1998 and subsection 94(1) of the Act. It commenced on 28 September 2016, and a Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights is provided to ensure that the AD aligns with human rights obligations as per the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.