AD/BEECH 55/7 - Grounding Outside Air Temperature Indicator

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, form a critical component of the legislative framework governing aviation safety in Australia. This legislation was introduced to ensure the safety of civil aviation operations within Australia's airspace. The specific legislative instrument referenced, F2006B04014, pertains to Part 39 – 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations and includes the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, such as AD/BEECH 55/7, which mandates the grounding of certain Beechcraft 55, 58, and 95-55 (Baron) Series Aeroplanes. The directive applies to specific serial numbers and models to address issues related to the outside air temperature indicator, ensuring that compliance with Beechcraft Service Bulletin 66-26 is met before 1 September 1971. The overarching policy objective of these regulations is to maintain the highest safety standards for aircraft operations, thereby protecting both passengers and the general public from aviation-related hazards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, applies to certain Beechcraft 55, 58 and 95-55 (Baron) series aeroplanes. This regulation mandates the grounding of the outside air temperature indicator for model 95-A55 with serial numbers TC-955 to TC-1008 and model 95-C55 prior to serial number TE-173. This directive ensures compliance with the action outlined in Beechcraft Service Bulletin 66-26, which must be completed before 1 September 1971. The regulation's jurisdictional reach is national, given it is a Commonwealth statute, and it applies to the specified aircraft models within the Australian aviation sector. The scope of the legislation is narrowly tailored to address the particular issue of the outside air temperature indicator, with no broad exclusions or exemptions mentioned within the text provided. The enforcement and extension of this directive might be supplemented by subordinate instruments, which could further detail the compliance requirements or address additional operational contexts.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically AD/BEECH 55/7, pertain to the grounding of certain Beechcraft 55, 58, and 95-55 (Baron) series aeroplanes. This directive applies to model 95-A55 with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from TC-955 to TC-1008, and model 95-C55 prior to serial number TE-173 (sections 1 and 2). The requirement is that these aircraft must adhere to the action stipulated in Beechcraft Service Bulletin 66-26. This compliance must be achieved before 1 September 1971 (section 3). The obligations and requirements imposed by these regulations are quite specific. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority mandates that operators of the affected aircraft must ensure the implementation of the corrective actions outlined in the Beechcraft Service Bulletin 66-26. This involves making necessary modifications or repairs to the outside air temperature indicators to prevent grounding issues. Operators must verify that these modifications are completed before the specified deadline to maintain airworthiness and ensure the safety of the aircraft. Failure to comply with these directives can lead to serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives is an offence. The potential penalties for breaching these regulations can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. Specifically, the maximum penalty for contravening the Civil Aviation Regulations can extend to a fine of up to 500 penalty units or imprisonment for up to two years, or both, depending on the severity of the breach. This underscores the importance of adhering strictly to the timelines and requirements set forth in the regulations to avoid legal repercussions.