AD/BEECH 50/31 - Rudder and Elevator Trim Tab Systems

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au F2006B03955 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

 


Beechcraft 50 (Twin Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes

 

AD/BEECH 50/31 Rudder and Elevator Trim Tab Systems 6/80

Applicability: All model 50 with S/Nos. H-1 to H-11;

 

All model B50 with S/Nos. CH-12 to CH-360;

 

All models D50, D50A, D50B, D50C & D50E with S/Nos. DH-1 to DH-347; All model E50 with S/Nos. EH-1 to EH-70;

All model F50 with S/Nos. FH-71 to FH-93, FH-95 and FH-96; All model G50 with S/Nos. GH-94 and GH-97 to GH-119;

All model H50 with S/Nos. HH-120 to HH-149; All model J50 with S/Nos. JH-150 to JH-176.

Requirement: Action in accordance with Beechcraft SI No. 0691-133, -135 Rev. 2.

 

Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 June 1980 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours’ time in service.

 

Background:  Beechcraft SI No. 0691-133, -135 Rev. 2 provides inspection procedures and trim tab free play limitations which will indicate when excessive wear has occurred in trim tab linkages or actuators.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, aim to ensure the safety and regulation of civil aviation within Australia. The specific focus of Part 39 - 105 within this legislation is the issuance of airworthiness directives to maintain aircraft safety standards. The regulation targets the Beechcraft 50 (Twin Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes and mandates compliance with the provisions set out in Beechcraft Service Information (SI) No. 0691-133, -135 Rev. 2. This directive addresses the problem of excessive wear in the rudder and elevator trim tab systems, which could potentially compromise the aircraft's safety. The policy objective is to ensure that all specified serial numbers of the Beechcraft 50 series undergo the necessary inspections and maintenance actions within prescribed intervals to maintain airworthiness and ensure the safety of the aircraft in service. The regulation was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988. CASA is responsible for overseeing the safety and efficiency of Australia's civil aviation sector, and these regulations are a critical component of its efforts to ensure that aircraft meet stringent safety standards. Compliance with these airworthiness directives is mandatory and must be adhered to by all relevant operators to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft models.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Beechcraft 50 (Twin Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes with particular serial numbers, including models 50, B50, D50, D50A, D50B, D50C, D50E, E50, F50, G50, H50, and J50. The regulation mandates that these aircraft must comply with the specified requirements within 100 hours of time in service after 30 June 1980, and then at intervals not exceeding 100 hours' time in service. Compliance with Beechcraft Service Instructions No. 0691-133 and -135 Rev. 2 is essential, as these provide detailed inspection procedures and limitations on trim tab free play to ensure that excessive wear in trim tab linkages or actuators is detected and addressed. This regulation extends its applicability across the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the provided text, and the regulation's application may be further refined through subordinate instruments as necessary.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, includes a schedule of airworthiness directives that mandate compliance for various aircraft models, including the Beechcraft 50 (Twin Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes. In the case of AD/BEECH 50/31 concerning the rudder and elevator trim tab systems, this directive applies to all models with specific serial numbers as outlined in the legislation (section 1). The directive requires actions in accordance with Beechcraft Service Information (SI) No. 0691-133, -135 Rev. 2, which includes detailed inspection procedures and limitations on trim tab free play to identify excessive wear in the linkages or actuators (section 2). The obligations imposed by this airworthiness directive are clear: owners or operators of the specified Beechcraft 50 series aeroplanes must ensure that the rudder and elevator trim tab systems are inspected and maintained according to the procedures outlined in the referenced Beechcraft SI. Compliance with these directives must be achieved within 100 hours of the aeroplane's time in service after 30 June 1980 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service (section 3). This requirement ensures that any potential issues with the trim tab systems are identified and rectified promptly, thereby maintaining the aircraft's airworthiness. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive may result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance can be considered an offence, potentially leading to civil or criminal penalties. Specifically, the regulations may impose fines or other penalties as stipulated by the Act. For example, under certain sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations, the maximum penalty for contravening an airworthiness directive can include fines of up to $16,500 for individuals and up to $82,500 for corporations, depending on the severity and frequency of the breach (section 5). These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the prescribed maintenance and inspection protocols to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.

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Area of Law
Aviation Law
Instrument
Regulation
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Compliance Obligations
Enforcement Powers
Catchwords
Airworthiness Directives

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.