COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Beechcraft 55, 58 and 95-55 (Baron) Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 55/26 Electrical Cable Loom 11/71
Applicability: Model E55 and Model 58.
Requirement: Inspect electrical cables behind lower left hand circuit breaker panel adjacent to the control pedestal to ascertain that there is adequate clearance between the cable loom and any panels or screws connecting leads to the rear of the circuit breakers. Also inspect loom for chafing where it passes through the stand-off pillar clip and check that this clip is still well insulated.
Note: It may be necessary to increase the length of the stand-off pillar to ensure that the loom will have adequate clearance.
Compliance: Within 15 hours’ time in service after 21 October 1971.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, represent a comprehensive regulatory framework governing civil aviation safety in Australia. Among these regulations, Part 39 addresses various directives to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft, including specific directives for certain aircraft models such as the Beechcraft 55, 58, and 95-55 (Baron) Series Aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/BEECH 55/26, was introduced to address issues related to electrical cable loom clearance and insulation in specified models, aiming to prevent potential electrical faults and ensure the continued safe operation of these aircraft. This directive was designed to rectify a problem identified in the clearance between the cable loom and adjacent panels or screws, as well as to ensure that the loom remains adequately insulated, thereby reducing the risk of chafing and associated hazards. The policy objective behind these measures is to maintain the highest safety standards within Australia’s civil aviation sector.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specific airworthiness directives to ensure the safety and operational integrity of aircraft. One such directive, AD/BEECH 55/26, is pertinent to Beechcraft 55, 58 and 95-55 (Baron) Series Aeroplanes. This directive mandates that all operators of Model E55 and Model 58 aircraft must inspect the electrical cables behind the lower left-hand circuit breaker panel adjacent to the control pedestal. The inspection must confirm adequate clearance between the cable loom and any panels or screws connecting leads to the rear of the circuit breakers, and also assess the loom for chafing where it passes through the stand-off pillar clip, ensuring the clip remains well insulated. This requirement must be met within 15 hours’ time in service after 21 October 1971, and may involve adjusting the length of the stand-off pillar to secure adequate clearance. The directive is enforceable within the Commonwealth of Australia and applies specifically to the mentioned models of Beechcraft aircraft, ensuring compliance with safety standards set by CASA.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, detail Airworthiness Directives for certain Beechcraft aeroplane models. This directive, AD/BEECH 55/26, applies to Model E55 and Model 58 Beechcraft 55, 58 and 95-55 (Baron) Series aeroplanes. The directive mandates a detailed inspection of the electrical cables behind the lower left-hand circuit breaker panel adjacent to the control pedestal (Section 105). The requirement is to ensure that there is adequate clearance between the cable loom and any panels or screws connecting leads to the rear of the circuit breakers. Additionally, the loom must be inspected for chafing where it passes through the stand-off pillar clip, and it must be confirmed that the clip is well insulated. If necessary, the length of the stand-off pillar may be increased to ensure the loom has adequate clearance.
The obligations imposed by this directive require operators and maintainers of the affected Beechcraft models to conduct a thorough inspection within 15 hours of time in service after 21 October 1971. This inspection must ascertain that the electrical cables are clear of any obstructions and that the loom is not chafing. It also necessitates ensuring that the stand-off pillar clip remains well insulated, and if necessary, adjusting the length of the stand-off pillar to achieve the required clearance. The directive does not specify a particular inspector or authorised person, but compliance must be verified by a qualified individual to ensure adherence to the safety standards outlined.
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/BEECH 55/26 may result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline various civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can result in fines, suspension or revocation of an operator's certificate, or other regulatory actions. The seriousness of the potential penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the specified inspection and maintenance requirements to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.