COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Beechcraft 35 (Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 35/60 Seat Recline Actuators 12/87
Applicability: All models with S/Nos listed in the Requirement document which are equipped with Hydrolock seat recline actuators on copilot, 3rd and 4th seats.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Beechcraft SB No 2175 R1.
Note: FAA AD 87-18-06 refers.
Compliance: Within 100 hrs time in service after 3 December 1987 or at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue, whichever is later.
Background: The manufacturer reports instances of inadvertent actuation of the seat mechanism which in some phases of flight operation could be a hazard.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, are designed to regulate civil aviation safety across the country. These regulations are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and aim to ensure that aviation activities are conducted in a manner that is safe and efficient. One specific legislative instrument, F2006B03856, pertains to the Beechcraft 35 (Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes and is part of the broader framework established by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. This particular instrument, issued under Part 39, specifically targets the issue of seat recline actuators in certain Beechcraft 35 models. The objective is to address the problem of inadvertent actuation of the seat mechanism, which poses a potential hazard during flight operations, by requiring compliance with manufacturer-specified actions within a defined timeframe.
The regulation mandates adherence to Beechcraft Service Bulletin No 2175 R1 for the specified aircraft models equipped with Hydrolock seat recline actuators. Compliance with this Airworthiness Directive is mandatory, either within 100 hours of time in service after 3 December 1987 or at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue, whichever occurs later. This directive is intended to mitigate the risk associated with the identified safety issue, thereby enhancing the overall safety standards in civil aviation as per the regulatory framework established under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives and applies to all Beechcraft 35 (Bonanza) series aeroplanes with specific serial numbers that are equipped with Hydrolock seat recline actuators on the copilot, third, and fourth seats. The directive mandates compliance with the actions outlined in Beechcraft Service Bulletin No 2175 R1, referencing FAA AD 87-18-06, to address reported instances of inadvertent actuation of the seat mechanism, which could pose a hazard during certain phases of flight. The compliance deadline is set 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 legislation is part of the broader Commonwealth of Australia regulations, ensuring safety standards are maintained within the national airspace.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) aimed at ensuring the safety of Beechcraft 35 (Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes. The directive, AD/BEECH 35/60, pertains to the seat recline actuators on the copilot, third, and fourth seats (1). It requires that operators of affected aircraft models comply with the instructions laid out in Beechcraft Service Bulletin (SB) No 2175 R1 (2). The directive notes a reference to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 87-18-06 for additional context (3).
The AD/BEECH 35/60 mandates that operators take action in accordance with the specified service bulletin to address instances of inadvertent actuation of the seat recline mechanism. This action must be taken within 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service after 3 December 1987, or at the next scheduled inspection for a Maintenance Release issue, whichever is later (4). This ensures that any potential safety risks associated with the seat recline actuators are mitigated in a timely manner.
Operators of the affected Beechcraft 35 (Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes must adhere to the requirements outlined in the directive. This includes ensuring that the seat recline actuators are inspected and, if necessary, modified or replaced as per the manufacturer's instructions (5). Compliance with these requirements is crucial to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring the safety of all onboard.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/BEECH 35/60 may result in serious safety implications. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces these regulations, and non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions, including fines and penalties (6). The exact penalties are not specified in the text, but they may include significant financial penalties and potential grounding of non-compliant aircraft, thereby affecting the operational capabilities of the operator. Ensuring adherence to these directives is therefore critical for maintaining safety standards and avoiding adverse legal and financial consequences.