Overview

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BEECH 35/71 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on 22 January 2002 aims to address safety concerns related to flap flex shaft separations in Beechcraft 35 (Bonanza) series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced in response to reports of unsafe conditions caused by improper heat treatment of the flap flex shafts, which led to failures and flap asymmetric situations. The AD was enacted under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. The policy objective is to ensure the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft by mandating inspections and replacements of specific components, thus enhancing aviation safety. The directive became effective on 30 January 2002 and was gazetted in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 specifically targets the Beechcraft 35 (Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes, including models 35, 35R, A35, B35, C35, D35, E35, F35, G35, H35, J35, L35, M35, N35, P35, S35, V35, V35A, and V35B across all serial numbers. This directive applies to aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel within the Commonwealth of Australia. It mandates specific actions to ensure the safe operation of the mentioned aircraft by addressing potential safety issues related to the flap flex shaft assembly. The directive outlines a requirement to review aircraft records and inspect or replace certain components based on their manufacture dates, with the directive becoming effective from 30 January 2002. Compliance must be achieved within specified flight hours after the directive's publication. The AD is issued under the authority of the CASA delegate, Gary John Carr, and references relevant Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directives for further guidance.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD/BEECH 35/71) issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) pertains specifically to Beechcraft 35 Series aeroplanes, including models 35, 35R, A35, B35, C35, D35, E35, F35, G35, H35, J35, L35, M35, N35, P35, S35, V35, V35A, and V35B, of all serial numbers. The AD mandates certain actions to address an unsafe condition identified in the flap flex shaft assembly of these aircraft. The directive requires operators to review their aircraft records to ascertain whether any of the Left Hand (LH), Right Hand (RH) flap flex shafts, or the flap actuator have been replaced since 1 March 2000. If these components have not been replaced since that date, no further action is required, and operators must certify this in the aircraft log book. However, if any of these components were replaced after 1 March 2000, operators must inspect the identification label of the new flap flex shaft assemblies for their manufacture date in accordance with Raytheon Service Bulletin 27-3478. Flex shafts manufactured between January 2000 and April 2001 must be replaced, whereas those manufactured before January 2000 or after April 2001 do not require replacement. Operators of the affected Beechcraft 35 Series aeroplanes must comply with the AD within specific timeframes. Firstly, the review of aircraft records and the associated certification must be completed within 25 flight hours from the effective date of the AD. Secondly, the inspection of the identification label of any replaced flex shafts must also be conducted within 25 flight hours from the effective date of the AD. Lastly, any required replacement of the flex shafts must be carried out before further flight. The AD became effective on 30 January 2002, as notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on that date. Failure to comply with the AD can result in serious consequences. The AD is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and non-compliance can be considered an offence under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The consequences of non-compliance can include both civil and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity and circumstances of the breach. The exact penalties are not specified in the AD but are governed by the broader provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and related regulations.