AD/BEECH 60/19 - Moisture Barrier Fuselage Station 306.421

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, contain specific provisions aimed at ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft in Australian airspace. Among these provisions is Part 39, which includes Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). One such directive, AD/BEECH 60/19, pertains to Beechcraft 60 (Duke) Series Aeroplanes and was enacted to address potential issues with moisture barriers that could interfere with elevator movement. This directive was introduced to mitigate safety risks by requiring specific modifications to the fuselage at a designated station. The directive applies to all models of the Beechcraft 60 series and mandates compliance within a stipulated time frame to ensure that the aircraft remain airworthy and compliant with safety standards. The policy objective behind such directives is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation through proactive measures and continuous oversight by CASA.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Beechcraft 60 (Duke) Series aeroplanes to ensure their airworthiness. This legislation mandates particular actions to prevent possible interference with elevator movement, particularly focusing on the fuselage station 306.421. The requirement involves making a vertical slit in the moisture barrier starting at the cutout for the elevator bell crank and extending it through the "velcro" strip that attaches the barrier to the front spar of the horizontal stabiliser. The legislation emphasises that this cut should not damage the spar. The directive must be complied with within 25 hours’ time in service after 3 November 1972, unless the action has already been completed. This regulation applies on a Commonwealth level, ensuring a standardised approach across Australia to the maintenance and safety of these aircraft. While the primary scope of this directive is clear, it should be noted that the broader application of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 extends to all civil aviation activities within Australia. This includes various aircraft models, operators, and industries, with specific provisions often supplemented through subordinate instruments to provide further detail or address particular circumstances. However, the specific directive AD/BEECH 60/19 focuses narrowly on the Beechcraft 60 (Duke) Series aeroplanes and their maintenance requirements to ensure continued airworthiness and safety.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Beechcraft 60 (Duke) Series aeroplanes. This directive, identified as AD/BEECH 60/19, pertains to the moisture barrier at fuselage station 306.421. The primary requirement (section 1) is to prevent potential interference with elevator movement by making a specific modification to the moisture barrier. According to the directive, the modification must start at the cutout for the elevator bell crank and involve a vertical slit in the moisture barrier using a knife, razor blade or similar tool. This slit must extend through the “velcro” strip that attaches the moisture barrier to the front spar of the horizontal stabiliser. Importantly, this procedure must be done without causing any damage to the spar. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act are clear and precise. Operators of Beechcraft 60 (Duke) Series aeroplanes must ensure that the specified modification to the moisture barrier is carried out. This compliance must be achieved within 25 hours of the aircraft being in service after the directive’s issuance date, 3 November 1972. If the modification has already been completed, operators need not take further action. This directive aims to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft by preventing potential interference with elevator movement, which is crucial for safe operation. Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. While the specific civil or criminal penalties are not detailed in the directive, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can generally lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions might include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory sanctions. The seriousness of these penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the directive to ensure the safety and compliance of the aircraft in question.