AD/BEECH 60/20 - Fifth and Sixth Seat Track Travel Limiting Screws

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serve as the foundational legal framework for regulating civil aviation within the country. One of the legislative instruments under this Act, specifically F2006B04082, addresses the safety of Beechcraft 60 (Duke) Series aeroplanes through Airworthiness Directives. This directive, AD/BEECH 60/20, was introduced to tackle the problem of ensuring the structural integrity and safety of the fifth and sixth seat track travel in specific models of the Duke Series. The policy objective is to mandate compliance with Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 0582-312, ensuring that all affected aircraft achieve compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 October 1973. This directive aims to mitigate risks associated with the operational safety of these aircraft, ensuring adherence to stringent safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains to the Beechcraft 60 (Duke) Series Aeroplanes, particularly those models 60 and A60 with serial numbers P-1 to P-223, that are equipped with optional fifth and sixth seats. The legislation mandates compliance with Beechcraft Service Information (SI) No. 0582-312 concerning the fifth and sixth seat track travel limiting screws. This requirement must be met within 100 hours of time in service following 31 October 1973. The directive applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, imposing obligations on the operators of the specified aircraft models to ensure the safety of the aircraft by adhering to the prescribed maintenance and operational standards. This regulation does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, thereby applying uniformly to all applicable aircraft within its jurisdictional scope. The scope of the directive may be further extended or specified through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Subpart 105, mandates the maintenance and operational standards for civil aviation in Australia. The regulation in focus here, AD/BEECH 60/20, pertains to the fifth and sixth seat track travel limiting screws on Beechcraft 60 (Duke) Series aeroplanes. This directive applies to all models 60 and A60 with serial numbers P-1 to P-223, if they are fitted with optional fifth and sixth seats (Section 10/73). The requirement is to perform actions as detailed in Beechcraft Service Information (SI) No. 0582-312, which provides specific instructions for maintaining the seat tracks. Compliance with these regulations necessitates adherence to the prescribed actions within 100 hours of time in service after 31 October 1973. This requirement ensures that the fifth and sixth seat track travel is properly managed to maintain the safety and integrity of the aircraft. Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that the necessary modifications or checks are completed within the specified timeframe to meet the regulatory standards. The obligation to comply is crucial for maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring the safety of passengers and crew. Failure to comply with the AD/BEECH 60/20 regulation may result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce penalties for non-compliance. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the regulation, violations of airworthiness directives generally attract severe penalties. These can include fines, enforcement actions, and in severe cases, the grounding of the aircraft. Such actions underscore the importance of adhering to the directives to avoid legal repercussions and ensure the continued safe operation of the aircraft.