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
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BEECH 55/60 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/BEECH 55/60
Amdt 1
Fuselage Fatigue Life Limitation 12/2000
Applicability: All models 58P and 58PA series. Requirement: Retire the pressure cabin from service. Compliance: Before exceeding 12,830 pressurised flights.
This Amendment becomes effective on 30 November 2000.
Background: Analysis and fatigue tests by the manufacturer have established the above pressure cabin life. Amendment 1 clarifies the intent that the applicability includes all pressurised Baron aircraft.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective in February 1981.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 17 October 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 1 November 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) form the backbone of aviation safety regulations in Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This legislation was enacted to provide a comprehensive framework for the safety, efficiency and environmental protection of civil aviation in Australia. One specific application of these regulations is evident in the Airworthiness Directives, which address identified safety issues with particular aircraft models. For example, Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 55/60 Amendment 1, issued under the authority of the CAR 1998 and effective from 30 November 2000, was introduced to address a critical safety issue identified in Beechcraft 55, 58 and 95-55 (Baron) series aeroplanes. This amendment, necessitated by analysis and fatigue tests conducted by the manufacturer, mandates the retirement of the pressure cabin from service for all models 58P and 58PA series before they exceed 12,830 pressurised flights, ensuring that the aircraft remain airworthy and safe for operation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 and the accompanying Airworthiness Directives, apply to all Beechcraft 55, 58, and 95-55 (Baron) series aeroplanes within the Australian jurisdiction. The directives establish specific safety requirements and conditions to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft, particularly focusing on critical safety aspects such as fuselage fatigue life. The AD/BEECH 55/60 Amendment 1, for instance, mandates that the pressure cabin of all models 58P and 58PA series must be retired from service before exceeding 12,830 pressurised flights. This directive was issued by the delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address identified unsafe conditions and to mitigate potential risks associated with prolonged usage of the pressure cabin beyond a specified number of flights. The directive, effective from 30 November 2000, is applicable nationwide and is enforced through notifications in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, ensuring that all relevant stakeholders within Australia are informed and compliant with the specified safety standards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Beechcraft 55, 58, and 95-55 (Baron) series aeroplanes. Specifically, Amendment 1 to AD/BEECH 55/60 mandates that the pressure cabin of all models 58P and 58PA series must be retired from service before the aircraft exceeds 12,830 pressurised flights. This directive is intended to address identified safety concerns related to the fuselage's fatigue life (AD/BEECH 55/60 Amdt 1, s. 12/2000).
The AD imposes several obligations on the aircraft operators and relevant parties. Primarily, they must ensure that the specified action—retiring the pressure cabin—is taken before the aircraft reaches the threshold of 12,830 pressurised flights. This involves conducting a thorough assessment of the aircraft's flight history and ensuring compliance with the directive's timeline. Operators must maintain accurate records of the aircraft's pressurised flight hours and ensure that the directive is adhered to as stipulated.
Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. Operators who do not retire the pressure cabin before the specified flight limit may face enforcement actions from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Non-compliance with ADs is a serious matter and can lead to penalties, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. The exact penalties are determined by CASA, but they may include administrative penalties for non-compliance with the AD, as well as potential criminal charges if the non-compliance results in a safety incident. It is essential for operators to understand and follow these directives to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft and ensure the safety of all passengers and crew.