COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Beechcraft 400 Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 400/11 Autopilot and Rudder Boost Interlock 13/95
Applicability: This Directive is applicable to Model 400 aeroplane serial number RJ-61, Model 400A aeroplanes serial numbers RK-1 through RK-77 inclusive and RK-79 through RK-92 inclusive.
Requirement: Install an autopilot and rudder boost improvement kit in accordance with Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 2533 Revision 1 dated June 1995.
Compliance: Within 200 hours time in service after 7 December 1995.
Note: FAA AD 95-18-04 Amdt 39-9352 refers.
Background: Actions specified by this Directive are intended to prevent incorrect operation of the rudder boost system during deployment of the thrust reverser and to prevent the autopilot from exceeding certain bank angle limits, both these conditions having the capability to reduce the controllability of the aeroplane.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, addresses safety directives for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft, including the Beechcraft 400 Series Aeroplanes. Enacted to mitigate safety risks and ensure the continued safety and reliability of aircraft in Australian airspace, this regulation was introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The directive, AD/BEECH 400/11, targets the autopilot and rudder boost interlock systems of certain Beechcraft 400 series aeroplanes, aiming to prevent incidents arising from incorrect rudder boost operation during thrust reverser deployment and autopilot exceeding bank angle limits. The policy objective is to enhance the safety and controllability of these aircraft, ensuring they remain compliant with international safety standards.
The directive mandates the installation of an autopilot and rudder boost improvement kit as per Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 2533 Revision 1 dated June 1995. Compliance with this directive is required within 200 hours of time in service after 7 December 1995, reflecting the urgency and importance of these safety enhancements. This regulatory measure underscores CASA's commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation, aiming to prevent any incidents that could compromise the safety of passengers and crew.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/BEECH 400/11, pertains to the autopilot and rudder boost interlock of Beechcraft 400 Series aeroplanes. This directive applies to certain serial numbers of Model 400 and Model 400A aeroplanes, including those serial numbers RJ-61, RK-1 through RK-77 inclusive, and RK-79 through RK-92 inclusive. The directive mandates the installation of an autopilot and rudder boost improvement kit in compliance with Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 2533 Revision 1 dated June 1995, and requires this to be achieved within 200 hours of time in service after 7 December 1995. This directive is part of the broader Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which are applicable on a Commonwealth level across Australia, ensuring a standardised approach to civil aviation safety. The directive does not specify exclusions or exemptions, but it does clearly outline the requirements and timeframes for compliance, and references FAA AD 95-18-04 Amdt 39-9352 for further context.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically addresses the safety concerns associated with Beechcraft 400 series aeroplanes. In particular, AD/BEECH 400/11 mandates the installation of an autopilot and rudder boost improvement kit for certain models of the Beechcraft 400 series aeroplanes (section 1). This directive applies to Model 400 aeroplane serial number RJ-61, Model 400A aeroplanes serial numbers RK-1 through RK-77 inclusive, and RK-79 through RK-92 inclusive (section 2).
The requirement under this directive is to install an autopilot and rudder boost improvement kit as outlined in Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 2533 Revision 1 dated June 1995 (section 3). Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 200 hours of time in service after 7 December 1995 (section 4). The directive references FAA AD 95-18-04 Amdt 39-9352 for further details on the improvements and procedures required (section 5).
The obligations imposed by this Act on the parties or entities it governs are primarily related to the installation of the specified improvement kit within the mandated timeframe. Owners and operators of the affected Beechcraft 400 series aeroplanes must ensure that the installation is performed by a certified repair facility or appropriately qualified personnel in accordance with the instructions provided in the referenced service bulletin. Compliance with this directive is crucial to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and to prevent any potential operational issues that could compromise the safety of the flight.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive may result in serious safety implications, potentially leading to incorrect operation of the rudder boost system or autopilot exceeding bank angle limits. Such non-compliance could reduce the controllability of the aeroplane, posing significant risks during flight. While the specific penalties or consequences for breach are not explicitly stated in the directive, non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, including potential grounding of the aircraft, fines, and other regulatory sanctions. The severity of these consequences would depend on the specific circumstances of the non-compliance and the potential risks it poses to aviation safety.