AD/BEECH 56/20 - Elevator Control Push Rods

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) legislative instrument, F2006B04051, pertains to the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which focuses on airworthiness directives. This instrument, concerning Beechcraft 56TC (Turbo Baron) Series Aeroplanes, was introduced to address the issue of corrosion in elevator control push rods, which had been identified in similar models. The problem arose from the potential for corrosion in these components, which could compromise the aircraft's safety. The regulation was enacted to ensure that all models 56TC and A56TC with serial numbers TG-2 to TG-94 comply with Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 1019 within 100 hours of their time in service after 31 May 1980. The policy objective is to maintain the airworthiness and safety of these aircraft by mitigating the risk of corrosion in critical components.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to Beechcraft 56TC (Turbo Baron) Series Aeroplanes with serial numbers TG-2 to TG-94. The legislation mandates action in accordance with Beechcraft Service Information No. 1019, focusing on the elevator control pushrods. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service after 31 May 1980. This applies to all models 56TC and A56TC with the specified serial numbers, reflecting the Commonwealth of Australia's jurisdiction over civil aviation safety. The Act does not specify any exclusions or exemptions within the provided text, indicating that the directive must be adhered to by all relevant operators within the stipulated timeframe.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the Airworthiness Directives for various aircraft types. Within this section, AD/BEECH 56/20 pertains to the Beechcraft 56TC (Turbo Baron) Series Aeroplanes, particularly focusing on elevator control push rods. The directive applies to all models 56TC and A56TC with serial numbers TG-2 to TG-94 (Section 5/80). The requirement is that action must be taken in accordance with Beechcraft Service Information (SI) No. 1019, which provides detailed instructions on addressing the identified issue. Compliance with these requirements is mandated within 100 hours’ time in service after 31 May 1980. The obligations imposed by the AD/BEECH 56/20 on the parties involved, including aircraft operators and maintenance personnel, are clear and specific. They must ensure that the elevator control push rods on the specified Beechcraft 56TC (Turbo Baron) Series Aeroplanes are inspected and maintained according to the guidelines provided in Beechcraft SI No. 1019. This involves a thorough examination for signs of corrosion, which has been a known issue in similar pushrods of other Beechcraft models. Operators must ensure that any identified issues are rectified promptly to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/BEECH 56/20 can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance in this context; however, general provisions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 outline potential civil and criminal penalties for breaches of airworthiness directives. Non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which may include fines and other sanctions. Additionally, serious breaches could result in criminal charges, with potential penalties including substantial fines and imprisonment, reflecting the critical importance of adhering to airworthiness directives to ensure safety in aviation.