COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Beechcraft 400 Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 400/9
Amdt 1
Flap Roller Retention 4/97
Applicability: Model 400A aircraft with serial numbers RK-1 through RK-97 and RK-99. Requirement: Action in accordance with Beech Service Bulletin 2522 Revision 1.
Note: FAA AD 96-25-03 Amdt 39-9845 refers.
Compliance: Within 200 hours’ time in service or within 12 months after 27 March 1997, whichever occurs first.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 27 March 1997.
Background: The FAA received reports of undersized tabs on some lock washers, and tabs or inner tangs missing from the washers installed on the flap roller bolts. These discrepancies could result in loss of the roller attach nuts and the flap roller, which could result in loss of a flap when the aircraft is subject to load limit conditions.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a new FAA AD which requires the replacement of certain previously -installed washers with new and stronger washers, while applicability is extended to include additional aircraft.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 13 October 1994.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through the legislative instrument F2006B03936, specifically address safety concerns in the aviation sector by introducing and enforcing airworthiness directives. This particular amendment, AD/BEECH 400/9 Amendment 1, targets the Beechcraft 400 Series aeroplanes to rectify issues related to flap roller retention. This amendment was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the oversight of the Australian Government, to ensure that specific models of the Beechcraft 400 Series, namely those with serial numbers RK-1 through RK-97 and RK-99, meet safety standards. The directive was introduced to address a problem identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding discrepancies in the installation of lock washers on the flap roller bolts, which could lead to critical safety hazards such as loss of a flap during flight. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by ensuring compliance with stringent airworthiness standards, thereby mitigating the risk of in-flight failures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety standards and compliance requirements for civil aviation in Australia. This legislative instrument encompasses various safety directives, including Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that apply to particular aircraft models and serial numbers, such as the Beechcraft 400 Series Aeroplanes. This particular directive applies to Model 400A aircraft with serial numbers RK-1 through RK-97 and RK-99, necessitating adherence to the instructions outlined in Beech Service Bulletin 2522 Revision 1. Compliance must be achieved within 200 hours’ time in service or within 12 months after 27 March 1997, whichever occurs first. This AD responds to issues identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding undersized tabs on lock washers and missing tabs or inner tangs, which could lead to the loss of critical components and, consequently, the flap roller under load limit conditions. The directive is effective from 27 March 1997 and extends the applicability to include additional aircraft beyond the original AD issued on 13 October 1994.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this legislation, specifically the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR) Part 39 - 105, detail the airworthiness directives for the Beechcraft 400 Series aeroplanes. The directive AD/BEECH 400/9 Amendment 1, dated 4/97, pertains to the flap roller retention issue. It mandates actions in accordance with Beech Service Bulletin 2522 Revision 1. This requirement is applicable to Model 400A aircraft with serial numbers RK-1 through RK-97 and RK-99. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 200 hours’ time in service or within 12 months from the effective date of 27 March 1997, whichever occurs first.
The Civil Aviation Regulations impose specific obligations on the parties involved. Aircraft owners and operators must ensure that the affected aircraft comply with the requirements set out in the directive. This includes replacing the undersized tabs on lock washers and ensuring that tabs or inner tangs are present on the washers installed on the flap roller bolts. The directive references the FAA AD 96-25-03 Amendment 39-9845, indicating that the FAA’s directive is integral to ensuring the safety of the aircraft. The directive also notes that the original issue became effective on 13 October 1994, with the current amendment extending the applicability of the directive to include additional aircraft.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can lead to significant consequences. The legislation does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance within the provided text, but under the broader Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in enforcement actions. These can include fines, suspension, or revocation of the aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness. Additionally, operators may face legal liabilities in the event of accidents or incidents resulting from non-compliance, which could include civil suits for damages. The safety implications of not adhering to these directives are serious, as the discrepancies in the flap roller retention system could result in the loss of a flap, potentially leading to catastrophic in-flight incidents.