AD/BEECH 55/39 - Automatic Pilot Servo Bridle Clamp Bolts

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, are comprehensive rules governing civil aviation in the country. Among these regulations, Part 39 - 105 pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes safety directives for specific aircraft models. One such directive, AD/BEECH 55/39, targets Beechcraft 55, 58, and 95-55 (Baron) Series aeroplanes, specifically addressing automatic pilot servo bridle clamp bolts to ensure ongoing airworthiness and safety of these aircraft. This directive was introduced to fill a gap identified in the maintenance and safety protocols for these models, ensuring that they meet specific safety standards to protect passengers and crew. The policy objective of this directive is to enhance the safety of Beechcraft aeroplanes by mandating specific actions related to the automatic pilot servo bridle clamp bolts. The directive applies to models 95-55, 95-A55, 95-B55, 95-B55A, 95-C55, 95-C55A, D55, D55A, E55, and E55A, within certain serial number ranges and configurations. Compliance with the directive requires adherence to Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 0601-180 and must be achieved within 100 hours’ time in service after 31 January 1974. This measure aims to mitigate risks associated with the specified components, thereby contributing to the overall safety and reliability of civil aviation in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of Beechcraft 55, 58, and 95-55 (Baron) series aeroplanes, detailing directives that apply to certain models of these aircraft. This legislation mandates that the automatic pilot servo bridle clamp bolts on specified models, including 95-55, 95-A55, 95-B55, 95-B55A, D55, D55A, E55, E55A, and their respective serial numbers, must adhere to the instructions provided in Beechcraft Service Information No. 0601-180. This requirement applies to aircraft with the Edo-Aire Mitchell AK292 Automatic pilot and must be complied with within 100 hours of the aircraft being in service after 31 January 1974. The regulation applies nationally across Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and there are no stated exclusions or exemptions in the directive itself, though further details may be found in subordinate instruments or related documentation.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contains a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for various aircraft models, including the Beechcraft 55, 58, and 95-55 (Baron) Series Aeroplanes. One of the key provisions is AD/BEECH 55/39, which pertains to the automatic pilot servo bridle clamp bolts (section 1/74). This directive applies to certain models of the Beechcraft 55 and 95-55 series, specifically those equipped with the Edo-Aire Mitchell AK292 Automatic pilot. The applicability extends to serial numbers ranging from TC1 to TC1573 and TE-1 to TE-919, and includes various sub-models such as 95-A55, 95-B55, 95-B55A, 95-C55, 95-C55A, D55, D55A, E55, and E55A. The directive requires compliance with Beechcraft Service Instruction (SI) No. 0601-180. The main action required is to ensure that the automatic pilot servo bridle clamp bolts are addressed within a specific timeframe. Compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service after 31 January 1974. This means that operators of the specified Beechcraft models must adhere to the maintenance and inspection procedures outlined in the referenced service instruction to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft. Operators of the affected Beechcraft 55 and 95-55 series aeroplanes are obligated to conduct the necessary inspections and repairs to the automatic pilot servo bridle clamp bolts as per the requirements of Beechcraft SI No. 0601-180. These obligations are critical to ensuring the continued safe operation of the aircraft. Operators must ensure that all maintenance and repair work is performed by qualified personnel and that all tasks are documented appropriately. Failure to comply with these obligations can lead to significant safety risks and potential regulatory consequences. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/BEECH 55/39 may result in various civil and criminal consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can impose penalties for non-compliance, which may include fines and other enforcement actions. Additionally, if non-compliance is found to have contributed to an accident or incident, it may lead to more severe penalties, including potential criminal charges against the operators or responsible parties. The specific penalties can vary, but the maximum penalties for breaches of the Civil Aviation Regulations can be substantial, reflecting the importance of maintaining airworthiness standards.