AD/BEECH 33/38 - Pilot and Co-Pilot Shoulder Harness

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompass the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This regulatory framework was enacted to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australian airspace. One such directive, AD/BEECH 33/38, pertains to the Beechcraft 33 and 35-33 series aeroplanes, addressing the potential risk of improper washers in the pilot and co-pilot shoulder harness "D" ring. The directive mandates compliance with the Technical Requirements of FAA AD 91-18-19, Amendment 39-8022, for the model F33A, with serial numbers CE-634 through CE-1536. The policy objective is to prevent malfunctions that could lead to injury during emergency situations, thus enhancing aviation safety. The directive was introduced to rectify the identified problem of potentially installed improper washers, which could compromise the integrity of the shoulder harness. The effective date for compliance, set by the FAA, has been extended to 12 December 1991 for Australian registered aircraft, reflecting a broader aim to align Australian aviation safety standards with international benchmarks.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Beechcraft 33 and 35-33 (Debonair/Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes, more precisely to Model F33A with serial numbers CE-634 through CE-1536. This legislative instrument mandates compliance with Technical Requirements outlined in FAA AD 91-18-19, Amendment 39-8022, ensuring safety measures are implemented to address the potential issue of improperly installed washers in the pilot and copilot shoulder harness “D” ring. The aim is to prevent malfunctions that could result in occupant injury during emergencies. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for all Australian registered aircraft, with a revised effective date of 12 December 1991. While the legislation primarily targets these specific aircraft models and serial numbers, it aligns with broader federal regulations governing civil aviation safety, thereby extending its reach within the national jurisdiction. There are no specified exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the provided text, though the application may be subject to further stipulations in subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105 (AD/BEECH 33/38), concern the applicability and requirements for the Beechcraft 33 and 35-33 (Debonair/Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes, specifically focusing on the pilot and co-pilot shoulder harness (section 12/91). The regulation applies to model F33A with serial numbers CE-634 through CE-1536. The requirement is that the action must be taken in accordance with the Technical Requirements of FAA AD 91-18-19, Amendment 39-8022, with reference to Beechcraft MSB 2394. Compliance must be achieved as specified in the Requirement Document, with a revised effective date of 12 December 1991 for Australian registered aircraft. The obligations and requirements imposed by this regulation on the relevant parties, such as aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance organisations, are to ensure that the pilot and co-pilot shoulder harness on the specified Beechcraft models is inspected and, if necessary, replaced with the correct washers as outlined in the FAA AD 91-18-19, Amendment 39-8022. This involves following the detailed technical instructions provided in the Requirement Document to prevent any malfunction of the shoulder harness, which could potentially result in injury during an emergency situation. Compliance with these directives is mandatory, and failure to adhere to the specified requirements could lead to safety issues during flight operations. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 also stipulate potential offences, penalties, and consequences for breach of the provisions outlined in the AD/BEECH 33/38. Failure to comply with the requirements for the shoulder harness could result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, leading to grounding of the aircraft. This non-compliance may attract civil penalties, including fines, and could also lead to criminal charges if the non-compliance results in injury or loss of life. The maximum penalties for such offences are not explicitly stated in the regulation but can be significant, reflecting the serious nature of ensuring airworthiness and safety in aviation operations.