AD/BEECH 55/70 - Seat Recline Actuators

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, is a legislative instrument enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to ensure the safety and regulation of civil aviation. The 1998 Regulations were introduced to consolidate and streamline aviation safety legislation, addressing gaps and inconsistencies in previous laws to provide a cohesive framework for civil aviation safety. The authority to enact these regulations resides with the Australian Parliament, with a clear policy objective of maintaining and enhancing the safety of civil aviation operations. One such directive within these regulations is AD/BEECH 55/70, which pertains to the seat recline actuators in Beechcraft 55, 58, and 95-55 (Baron) series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the problem of inadvertent actuation of the seat recline mechanism, which could potentially pose a hazard during certain flight operations. The specific airworthiness directive AD/BEECH 55/70 mandates that all affected models equipped with Hydrolock seat recline actuators on specific seats must comply with Beechcraft Service Bulletin No 2175 R1. The requirement is for compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 3 December 1987 or at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue, whichever is later. This directive references FAA AD 87-18-06, indicating alignment with international safety standards and practices.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) regulation AD/BEECH 55/70 applies to specific Beechcraft 55, 58, and 95-55 (Baron) series aeroplanes, particularly those with serial numbers listed in the requirement document and equipped with Hydrolock seat recline actuators on the copilot, third, and fourth seats. The directive mandates compliance with Beechcraft Service Bulletin No 2175 R1 to address instances of inadvertent actuation of the seat mechanism, which could pose a hazard during certain phases of flight. The compliance timeline requires action within 100 hours of time in service after 3 December 1987 or at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release, whichever is later. This regulation is a part of the broader framework of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, overseen by CASA, and pertains to the safety of civil aviation within Australia. The scope of this directive is limited to the specified models and configurations, ensuring that the identified safety issue is effectively mitigated. While this regulation is nationally applicable under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, it is enforced by CASA, which has the authority to extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments. However, the specific exclusions or exemptions are not detailed in this directive and would need to be referenced in the broader legislative context or additional CASA guidance documents. The regulation underscores the importance of adherence to safety directives issued by CASA to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia’s airspace.

Key Provisions

The key sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, as applied to the Beechcraft 55, 58 and 95-55 (Baron) Series Aeroplanes, focus on the airworthiness directives for the seat recline actuators. Section 39.105(1) mandates that all applicable aircraft equipped with Hydrolock seat recline actuators on the copilot, third, and fourth seats must comply with the requirements set forth in this directive. Specifically, section 39.105(2) requires that the action be taken in accordance with Beechcraft Service Bulletin (SB) No 2175 R1. This directive is closely related to FAA AD 87-18-06, as noted in section 39.105(3), which provides a reference for the compliance standards. The obligations imposed by the Act on the parties and entities it governs are detailed in section 39.105(4). Aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance providers must ensure that the specified models of the Beechcraft aeroplanes undergo the necessary modifications or inspections as per the directive. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 3 December 1987, or at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue, whichever is later, as stipulated in section 39.105(5). This timeframe ensures that the necessary actions are taken to address the identified safety concerns. Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in significant consequences. Section 39.105(6) outlines that non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Section 39.105(7) specifies that these actions may include administrative penalties, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates of airworthiness, or other regulatory measures. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the regulation itself, they could encompass a range of civil and criminal sanctions, with potential maximum penalties for serious breaches being outlined in the broader regulatory framework governing aviation safety.