Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BEECH 33/44 on 30 January 2002 under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. This AD was introduced to address the problem of flap flex shaft separations in Beechcraft 33 and 35-33 (Debonair/Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes, which had been attributed to improper heat treatment of flex shafts manufactured between January 2000 and April 2001. The policy objective of this AD is to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating the replacement of affected components and requiring inspections of other components to prevent potential unsafe conditions. This directive applies to all serial numbers of the specified Beechcraft models and requires compliance within certain flight hours from the effective date of the AD.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 33/44 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to Beechcraft Model E33, E33A, E33C, F33, F33A, F33C, G33, 35-33, 35-A33, 35-B33, 35-C33, and 35-C33A aircraft, encompassing all serial numbers. The directive mandates that aircraft records be reviewed to determine if the left-hand (LH) or right-hand (RH) flap flex shaft or the flap actuator has been replaced since 1 March 2000. If these components have not been replaced since this date, no further action is required, and a certification should be made in the aircraft logbook. However, if any of these components have been replaced since 1 March 2000, an inspection of the identification label for the manufacture date of the flap flex shaft assemblies is necessary, in accordance with Raytheon Service Bulletin 27-3478. Flex shafts manufactured before January 2000 and after April 2001 do not require replacement, but those manufactured between January 2000 and April 2001 must be replaced. Compliance with this directive must occur within 25 flight hours from the effective date of the directive and before further flight. This directive is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and is effective from 30 January 2002.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 33/44 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) pertains to specific Beechcraft 33 and 35-33 series aeroplanes. According to section (a) of the AD, the requirement is for aircraft operators to review the aircraft records to determine if either the left-hand (LH) or right-hand (RH) flap flex shaft, or the flap actuator, has been replaced since 1 March 2000. If these components have not been replaced since that date, no further action is necessary, and an appropriate certification should be made in the aircraft logbook. However, if any of these components have been replaced since 1 March 2000, the identification label on the flap flex shaft assemblies must be inspected for the manufacture date in accordance with Raytheon Service Bulletin 27-3478. Flex shafts manufactured before January 2000 and after April 2001 do not require replacement, but those manufactured between January 2000 and April 2001 must be replaced. The obligations imposed by this AD include meticulous record-keeping and inspection of the relevant components. Operators must ensure that the aircraft records are up-to-date and accurately reflect any replacements of the LH or RH flap flex shaft or the flap actuator. Furthermore, if any replacements have occurred since 1 March 2000, operators must inspect the manufacture date of the flex shafts and replace any that were manufactured between January 2000 and April 2001. These actions must be completed within specific timeframes as outlined in the compliance section of the AD. For instance, the review of records and any necessary inspections must be completed within 25 flight hours from the effective date of the AD, and the replacement of the flex shafts must be done before further flight. The AD outlines significant consequences for non-compliance with its provisions. Although the specific penalties for breaches are not detailed in the AD itself, under Australian aviation law, failure to comply with an Airworthiness Directive can result in substantial civil or criminal penalties. These penalties may include fines, suspension or revocation of an aircraft’s Certificate of Airworthiness, and potential criminal charges for individuals or organisations found guilty of non-compliance. Additionally, non-compliance could lead to safety risks, potentially resulting in accidents or incidents that could have severe consequences for flight safety.