AD/BEECH 33/33 - Seat Recline Actuators

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority of the Parliament of Australia, were enacted to establish comprehensive regulations governing civil aviation in Australia. Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations specifically addresses Airworthiness Directives, which are binding requirements issued by CASA to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. The legislative instrument F2006B03800 pertains to Beechcraft 33 and 35-33 (Debonair/Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes, outlining a directive for seat recline actuators. This directive was introduced to address the problem of inadvertent actuation of seat mechanisms that could pose a safety hazard during flight. The policy objective is to mitigate this risk by mandating compliance with specific maintenance actions, as detailed in Beechcraft Service Bulletin No 2175 R1. The compliance deadline requires adherence within 100 hours of time in service after 3 December 1987 or at the next scheduled inspection, whichever is later.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Beechcraft 33 and 35-33 (Debonair/Bonanza) series aeroplanes with serial numbers listed in the requirement document and equipped with Hydrolock seat recline actuators on the copilot, third, and fourth seats. This regulation is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and pertains to the safety of the aircraft's operation by mandating compliance with Beechcraft Service Bulletin No 2175 R1. The requirement necessitates action to be taken within 100 hours of time in service after 3 December 1987 or at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue, whichever is later. This directive is in response to reported instances of inadvertent actuation of the seat mechanism, which could pose a hazard during certain phases of flight operation. The regulation is grounded in the overarching goal of ensuring aviation safety and is influenced by the Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Directive AD 87-18-06. The scope of the regulation is confined to specific aircraft models and configurations, and compliance is mandatory for those entities and persons involved in the maintenance and operation of these aircraft.

Key Provisions

The primary sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 relevant to this legislation include sections 105 (which outlines the applicability and requirements of airworthiness directives) and the specific directive AD/BEECH 33/33. Section 105 mandates that all Beechcraft 33 and 35-33 (Debonair/Bonanza) series aeroplanes equipped with Hydrolock seat recline actuators on the copilot, third, and fourth seats, and falling within the serial numbers listed in the requirement document, must comply with the directive. This directive requires action in accordance with Beechcraft Service Bulletin No 2175 R1. The compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 3 December 1987 or at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue, whichever is later. This directive references FAA AD 87-18-06 for additional context. The obligations imposed by this legislation on the parties governed by it include ensuring that the seat recline actuators on the specified seats of the Beechcraft 33 and 35-33 aeroplanes are modified or repaired in accordance with the instructions provided in the relevant service bulletin. Operators must ensure that compliance with the directive is achieved within the specified timeframe, either within 100 hours of service after 3 December 1987 or at the next scheduled inspection, whichever is later. This requirement is critical to address the manufacturer's report of inadvertent actuation of the seat mechanism, which could pose a hazard during certain phases of flight. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive could lead to serious safety issues, potentially resulting in significant penalties or consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to enforce compliance, and non-compliance could result in the grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are made. Furthermore, operators could face fines and other regulatory actions, which may include enforcement notices or prosecution. The specific penalties are not detailed in this excerpt, but they are likely to be significant given the potential safety implications of non-compliance.