COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Beechcraft 400 Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 400/21 Battery and External Power Ground 12/2001
Applicability: Model 400A series aeroplanes, serial numbers RK-78, RK-87 through RK-207 inclusive.
Requirement: 1. If not previously accomplished, replace the two bus bars, part number (P/N) 128- 364239-17 and P/N 101-361146-1, with a new, improved bus bar, P/N 101- 364046-231, in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 24-3253, dated January 1999.
2. Bus bars having either P/N 128-364239-17 or P/N 101-361146-1 shall not be installed on any Beech 400A series aeroplane.
Note: FAA AD 2001-20-07 Amdt 39-12455 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Within 50 hours time in service after the effective date of this Directive.
For Requirement 2 - As of the effective date of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 29 November 2001.
Background: The United States Federal Aviation Administration has received reports of electrical arcing at the battery and external power receptacle of the airframe ground in the aft fuselage due to a deficiency in the bus bar and washer design.
This Directive requires replacement of bus bars connecting the battery and external power receptacle to the airframe ground with a new, improved bus bar. This action is intended to prevent overheating or arcing of the ground connection in the aft fuselage area, which could result in a fire hazard due to ignition of fuel fumes during an engine start sequence.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 17 October 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 7 November 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia, include specific provisions regarding the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs). One such AD, AD/BEECH 400/21, was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in 2001 to address a safety issue identified in the Beechcraft 400 series aeroplanes. This Airworthiness Directive was enacted in response to reports of electrical arcing at the battery and external power receptacle of the airframe ground in the aft fuselage, which was traced to a deficiency in the bus bar and washer design. The objective of this directive was to replace the existing bus bars with a new, improved design to prevent overheating or arcing of the ground connection, thereby mitigating the risk of fire hazards during engine start sequences. The directive became effective on 29 November 2001, and it mandated the replacement of specific bus bars within a specified timeframe, with immediate compliance for the prohibition of the use of certain bus bars.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), apply to all aircraft and aeronautical products operating within Australia. Specifically, this legislative instrument addresses airworthiness directives (ADs) concerning certain aircraft models and mandates compliance with safety measures to prevent unsafe conditions. The AD/BEECH 400/21 pertains to Beechcraft 400 Series aeroplanes, specifically Model 400A series aeroplanes with serial numbers RK-78, RK-87 through RK-207 inclusive. The directive requires the replacement of certain bus bars to mitigate the risk of electrical arcing and fire hazards. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with specified timelines for the replacement of bus bars and prohibition of the installation of certain parts. This AD becomes effective from 29 November 2001 and applies to the identified aircraft models within Australia's jurisdiction, ensuring that safety measures are implemented to maintain airworthiness standards.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the Beechcraft 400 series aeroplanes (AD/BEECH 400/21) mandate the replacement of specific bus bars and prohibit the installation of certain bus bars in aeroplanes of this model. Specifically, section 1 of the requirement section (1) specifies that two bus bars, P/N 128-364239-17 and P/N 101-361146-1, must be replaced with an improved bus bar, P/N 101-364046-231, if they have not already been replaced. Additionally, section 2 of the requirement section (2) states that bus bars with either P/N 128-364239-17 or P/N 101-361146-1 must not be installed on any Beech 400A series aeroplane. The compliance section (3) sets out the timeframes for these actions: within 50 hours time in service after the effective date for the replacement of the bus bars, and immediately upon the effective date for the prohibition of the installation of certain bus bars.
The obligations and requirements imposed by this AD are clear and specific. Aircraft operators of Beechcraft 400 series aeroplanes, particularly those with serial numbers RK-78, RK-87 through RK-207 inclusive, must ensure that the replacement of the specified bus bars is carried out within the stipulated timeframe. This involves following the instructions outlined in Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 24-3253, dated January 1999. Moreover, operators are required to ensure that bus bars with either P/N 128-364239-17 or P/N 101-361146-1 are not installed in any Beech 400A series aeroplane from the effective date of this directive.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can result in significant consequences. Although the text does not specify exact penalties, non-compliance could potentially lead to civil or criminal actions under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, including potential fines or imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach. Given the safety implications highlighted in the background section, it is evident that the directive aims to prevent potential fire hazards that could arise from electrical arcing at the battery and external power ground in the aft fuselage of the aeroplane. Thus, adhering to the directive is crucial for maintaining the safety standards of the aircraft.