AD/BEECH 35/16 - Pitot and Static Pressure Line Routing

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, established by the Commonwealth of Australia, serve to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australian airspace. Specifically, AD/BEECH 35/16, concerning the Beechcraft 35 (Bonanza) series aeroplanes, addresses issues related to the routing of pitot and static pressure lines. This legislative instrument was enacted to mitigate risks associated with the routing of these critical lines in certain models of the Beechcraft 35 series, thereby enhancing flight safety. The Australian Government, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, established this directive to mandate immediate compliance with specified service bulletins issued by Beechcraft, ensuring that operators of the affected aircraft models adhere to critical safety standards. The overarching policy objective is to prevent potential hazards that could arise from improper routing of the pitot and static pressure lines, thereby safeguarding the integrity of flight operations and the safety of all persons on board.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, has issued Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 35/16 concerning the Beechcraft 35 (Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to models 35, A35, B35, C35, and E35, all prior to serial number D3916. The directive mandates compliance with specific service bulletins issued by Beechcraft: SB Model 35 - No. 29; Model A35 - No. 21; Model B35 - No. 14; Model C35 - No. 12; and Model E35 - No. 6, with the requirement for action to be taken forthwith. The directive applies to the specified aircraft models within the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which has the jurisdiction to ensure adherence to civil aviation safety standards. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within this directive, and its application is not extended or restricted through subordinate instruments beyond the parameters of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Part 39 - 105) concerning Beechcraft 35 (Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes, as outlined in AD/BEECH 35/16, mandate that specific models must adhere to certain maintenance and modification directives. These models include the 35, A35, B35, C35, E35, and those with serial numbers prior to D3916. The requirement is for these aircraft to comply with Beechcraft Service Bulletins (SB) which are specifically numbered 29 for Model 35, 21 for Model A35, 14 for Model B35, 12 for Model C35, 7 for Model D35, and 6 for Model E35. Compliance with these directives must be achieved immediately, or "forthwith," as specified in the regulations. The obligations and requirements imposed by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 on the parties and entities governed by AD/BEECH 35/16 include ensuring that the specified Beechcraft 35 Series aeroplanes are modified in accordance with the provided service bulletins. These service bulletins contain detailed instructions and specifications that must be followed to address the routing of the pitot and static pressure lines. Aircraft operators, owners, and maintenance providers must ensure that these modifications are carried out by appropriately qualified personnel and that all work is completed in a manner that meets the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Additionally, operators must maintain records of these modifications to demonstrate compliance with the regulations. In the event of a breach of AD/BEECH 35/16, several civil and criminal consequences may apply. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can result in significant penalties. For an individual, the maximum penalty can include a fine of up to $210,000, while for a body corporate, the penalty can be substantially higher, reaching up to $1,050,000. Furthermore, non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions such as the grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are made, potentially disrupting operations and incurring additional costs. In more severe cases, CASA may pursue prosecution in a court, which could result in further penalties and legal consequences for the offending party.