AD/BEECH 33/23 - Beryl Aviation Filtrator Assembly

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serve as the primary legislative instrument governing civil aviation safety within the country. These regulations were introduced to address the need for stringent safety standards and procedures in the civil aviation sector, ensuring the safety of passengers, crew, and the public. One specific aspect of these regulations, covered under Part 39 - 105, is the implementation of Airworthiness Directives to manage safety issues related to aircraft. These directives are issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure that aircraft continue to meet the necessary safety standards. The overarching policy objective of these regulations is to maintain the highest level of safety in Australia's civil aviation industry by enforcing strict compliance with airworthiness standards and addressing any identified safety concerns promptly.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, focusing on the maintenance and modification requirements for certain Beechcraft aeroplane models. This regulation applies to Beechcraft 35-33, 35-A33, 35-B33, and 35-C33 models that have undergone modifications as per the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate No. SA 2219 WE, which involves the installation of an engine crank-case breather and vacuum pump air-oil separator. The directive requires operators to remove the Beryl Aviation filtrator assembly P/No. 1000-1 and replace it with P/No. B-1114-M, P/No. B-1114-RM, or P/No. 1000-1 RM. The compliance timeline necessitates that this replacement occurs within 100 hours of time in service following 28 November 1975, as referenced by FAA AD No. 75-15-08. This regulation is enforceable across the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by CASA, which ensures adherence to the specified airworthiness standards to maintain safety and operational integrity within the Australian aviation sector.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, contain a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, one of which pertains to the Beechcraft 33 and 35-33 (Debonair/Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes, identified as AD/BEECH 33/23 (section 1). This directive applies to models 35-33, 35-A33, 35-B33, and 35-C33 that have been modified according to FAA Supplemental Type Certificate No. SA 2219 WE, which includes the installation of an engine crank-case breather and a vacuum pump air-oil separator. The directive requires the removal of the Beryl Aviation filtrator assembly P/No. 1000-1 and the installation of P/No. B-1114-M, P/No. B-1114-RM, or P/No. 1000-1 RM (section 2). It is noted that FAA AD No. 75-15-08 is also referenced, providing further context or detail on the directive. In terms of obligations, the entities governed by these regulations must ensure compliance with the specified directive within 100 hours of time in service after 28 November 1975 (section 3). This means that the required modifications to the Beryl Aviation filtrator assembly must be completed and verified within this timeframe. Compliance involves not only the physical replacement of parts but also the proper documentation and certification of the modifications, ensuring that the aircraft meets the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The consequences for non-compliance with these directives are significant. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, failure to adhere to Airworthiness Directives can result in both civil and criminal penalties (section 4). Civil penalties can include fines, and in severe cases, the grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. Criminal penalties may apply if the non-compliance is deemed to have caused significant risk to safety, potentially leading to imprisonment for the responsible parties. The maximum penalties can vary depending on the severity of the breach and the impact on aviation safety.