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 CASR 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 400/25 Roll Trim Printed Circuit Board Assembly
5/2004
Applicability: Beech 400 series aeroplanes as follows:
Model
400A
400T
Serial Number Range
RK-45 and RK-49 through RK-322 inclusive
TT-1 through TT-180 inclusive and TX-1 through TX-12 inclusive
Requirement: 1. Perform an inspection to determine the part number of the A194 roll trim printed circuit board (PCB) assembly, in accordance with Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 27-3464, dated December 2001. If the A194 PCB has a part number (P/N) of 128-364122-7 or higher (ie 128-364122-9, -11, etc) no further action is required.
2. If the A194 PCB does not have a P/N of 128-364122-7 or higher replace the A194 PCB with a PCB having a part number of 128-364122-7 or higher, in accordance SB 27-3464.
3. A194 roll trim PCB with P/N 128-364122- 1 or 128-364122-5 may not be installed on any aeroplane as a replacement part.
Note: FAA AD 2004-03-35 Amdt 39-13479 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Within 200 hours time in service or six months after the effective date of this Directive, whichever occurs first.
For Requirement 2 - Before further flight, after the Requirement 1 inspection. For Requirement 3 - As of the effective date of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 13 May 2004.
Beechcraft 400 Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 400/25 (continued)
Background: This Directive requires an inspection to determine the part number of the A194 roll trim PCB and, if necessary, replacement of certain PCBs with improved parts. This action is necessary to prevent intermittent sticking of the relays on the PCB in either the open or closed position, which could result in an out-of-trim condition that may require the use of considerable control wheel force to keep the wings level and consequent reduced controllability of the aeroplane.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 1 April 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 21 April 2004.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BEECH 400/25 was issued in 2004 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address a safety issue associated with the roll trim printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies in Beechcraft 400 series aeroplanes. The AD was introduced to mitigate the risk of intermittent sticking of relays on the PCB, which could lead to an out-of-trim condition and adversely affect the aircraft’s controllability. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness of the specified aircraft by mandating specific actions to be taken to rectify identified safety concerns. This AD became effective on 13 May 2004, requiring inspections and necessary replacements within specified timeframes to prevent potential unsafe conditions.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies specifically to Beechcraft 400 series aeroplanes, including models 400A and 400T, within the serial number ranges specified. The AD mandates inspections and potential replacement of the A194 roll trim printed circuit board (PCB) assembly to address the risk of intermittent relay sticking, which could lead to an out-of-trim condition and reduced controllability of the aircraft. Compliance with the directive must be achieved within specified timeframes, with immediate action required for certain parts. The AD is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all operators of the specified aircraft adhere to the outlined safety measures.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) pertains to the Beechcraft 400 series aeroplanes, specifically model 400A and 400T, within certain serial number ranges (sections 2 and 3 of the AD). The directive mandates inspections and, if necessary, the replacement of certain A194 roll trim printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies to mitigate the risk of intermittent relay sticking, which could lead to an out-of-trim condition (section 4 of the AD). The directive specifies the part numbers that require attention and prohibits the installation of certain PCBs as replacement parts (section 4 of the AD).
The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators of the affected Beechcraft 400 series aeroplanes. Primarily, operators must conduct an inspection to determine the part number of the A194 roll trim PCB as outlined in Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 27-3464 (section 4(1) of the AD). If the PCB has a part number of 128-364122-7 or higher, no further action is necessary. However, if the part number is lower than 128-364122-7, the PCB must be replaced with one having a part number of 128-364122-7 or higher, in accordance with the same service bulletin (section 4(2) of the AD). Additionally, A194 roll trim PCBs with part numbers 128-364122-1 or 128-364122-5 must not be installed as replacement parts (section 4(3) of the AD). Compliance deadlines are set, with the initial inspection to be performed within 200 hours of time in service or six months from the effective date of the AD, whichever comes first, and the replacement action must be completed before further flight (section 5 of the AD).
Failure to comply with the AD may result in civil or criminal consequences. While the AD itself does not specify penalties, non-compliance with the CASR 1998, under which this AD is issued, can lead to significant penalties. These include fines and imprisonment. The specific penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as outlined in the relevant sections of the CASR 1998. The AD becomes effective on 13 May 2004, and operators must adhere to the stipulated requirements to ensure the airworthiness of their aircraft.