AD/BEECH 400/4 - Fuselage Rivets

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, were enacted to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australian airspace. The regulations, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were introduced to address safety concerns and ensure compliance with international aviation standards. One of the directives, AD/BEECH 400/4, was issued to address a specific safety issue identified in Beechcraft 400 Series aeroplanes. The directive mandates corrective action for fuselage rivets in certain models, following reports that rivets may have been inadvertently omitted during manufacture, potentially compromising the structural integrity of the aircraft. The policy objective is to ensure that these aircraft meet the required safety standards, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety. The directive, AD/BEECH 400/4, applies to specific models and serial numbers of the Beechcraft 400 Series aeroplanes and requires compliance with Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 2482. This action must be completed within 100 hours of the aircraft’s time in service following 9 December 1993, in line with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Amendment 39-8670. The regulation underscores the importance of adhering to safety directives to prevent potential hazards and maintain the highest standards of aviation safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses the Beechcraft 400 Series aeroplanes through AD/BEECH 400/4. This directive applies to Model 400A aeroplanes with serial numbers RK-1 through RK-41, as well as Model 400T aeroplanes with serial numbers TT-3 through TT-20. The directive mandates actions in accordance with Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 2482 and refers to FAA AD 93-16-12 Amdt 39-8670 for further guidance. Compliance with this directive requires corrective action within 100 hours of time in service after 9 December 1993, following reports from the FAA about potential manufacturing issues involving the inadvertent omission of rivets near the upper edge of the emergency exit door. This regulation applies to the specified models of Beechcraft 400 Series aeroplanes, ensuring safety standards are met in accordance with the mandatory service bulletin.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Beechcraft 400 Series aeroplanes, denoted as AD/BEECH 400/4. This directive pertains to the fuselage rivets of Model 400A aeroplanes with serial numbers RK-1 through RK-41, and Model 400T aeroplanes with serial numbers TT-3 through TT-20. The directive mandates that actions must be taken in accordance with Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 2482 (section 13/93). This requirement is referenced in FAA AD 93-16-12 Amendment 39-8670. Compliance with these directives must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 9 December 1993. The obligations imposed by this Airworthiness Directive are quite specific. Operators of the affected Beechcraft 400 Series aeroplanes must ensure that all rivets in the designated area are checked and corrected if necessary. This includes verifying that no rivets are missing adjacent to the upper edge of the emergency exit door, a known issue from the manufacturing process. Failure to comply with the directive within the stipulated timeframe can result in the aeroplane being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding until the necessary actions are taken. Non-compliance with the AD/BEECH 400/4 could result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may impose penalties for failure to adhere to the Airworthiness Directive. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, penalties for non-compliance can include fines and potential criminal charges for operators who knowingly allow an unairworthy aircraft to be flown. The specific penalties are determined by the severity of the breach and could result in substantial financial penalties and imprisonment for responsible individuals. Additionally, the aeroplane itself may be subject to restrictions or prohibitions on flight until the necessary repairs and inspections are completed and verified.