AD/BEECH 55/8 - Dorsal Fin

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by F2006B04025, were introduced to enhance safety standards and compliance within the civil aviation sector. This particular legislative instrument, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, addresses specific safety directives for Beechcraft 55, 58, and 95-55 (Baron) series aeroplanes. The aim is to ensure these aircraft meet necessary airworthiness standards through the issuance of specific directives, such as AD/BEECH 55/8 concerning the dorsal fin. The regulation mandates inspections and modifications to specific models within defined time intervals to mitigate potential safety risks. This directive is part of a broader effort by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to maintain and improve aviation safety across Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, mandate adherence to airworthiness directives for certain aircraft, including the Beechcraft 55, 58, and 95-55 (Baron) series aeroplanes. The particular directive AD/BEECH 55/8 pertains to the dorsal fin of Model 95-B55 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from TC-955 to TC-1015, and Model 95-C55 aeroplanes with serial numbers from TE-1 to TE-219. This regulation applies to the specified aircraft models and serial numbers, necessitating actions in line with Beechcraft Service Bulletin 66-16. Compliance requires that inspections of the dorsal fin must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until the necessary modifications are made. Furthermore, the modifications must be implemented within 500 hours of time in service following the directive's issuance date of 15 March 1967. This regulation is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and applies nationally across Australia, governing the maintenance and airworthiness of the specified aircraft models and serial numbers.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 and specifically in relation to the AD/BEECH 55/8, address the airworthiness of Beechcraft 55, 58, and 95-55 (Baron) Series Aeroplanes. Section 39-105 pertains to the specific directive for the Beechcraft models 95-B55 and 95-C55, which must adhere to the requirements outlined in the Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 55/8 concerning the dorsal fin. The serial numbers affected for Model 95-B55 range from TC-955 to TC-1015, while for Model 95-C55, the range is from TE-1 to TE-219. The directive mandates that these aircraft undergo an inspection at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until modifications are made. Furthermore, any modifications must be completed within the next 500 hours of time in service following 15 March 1967. The obligations imposed by this directive require the aircraft operators to ensure that the specified Beechcraft models are inspected and, if necessary, modified according to the timeline set out in the directive. Operators must also ensure that the inspections are documented and that any modifications are carried out by authorised personnel or under the supervision of authorised personnel to comply with the stipulated safety standards. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive AD/BEECH 55/8 can result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, non-compliance may be viewed as a breach of airworthiness requirements, potentially leading to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions can include the issuance of a compliance order, a fine, or other administrative penalties. In severe cases, CASA may take action to suspend or revoke the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, which could lead to the grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are made. The specific penalties for breaches of these regulations are not detailed in the legislative instrument but generally align with the regulatory framework governing aviation safety in Australia.