AD/BEECH 60/22 Amdt 1 - Elevator Hinge Bracket

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, serve to regulate various aspects of civil aviation safety. Among its provisions, Part 39 - 105 addresses the issuance of airworthiness directives to ensure the ongoing safety of aircraft. Specifically, AD/BEECH 60/22, introduced as an amendment, targets the Beechcraft 60 (Duke) Series Aeroplanes, aiming to rectify a problem identified in the elevator hinge brackets of certain models. The directive mandates a visual inspection for cracks in specified areas of the elevator hinge brackets and requires their replacement with improved items to mitigate safety risks. The objective of this directive is to ensure continued airworthiness and safety compliance for these aircraft models, aligning with the overarching policy of maintaining stringent safety standards within Australia's civil aviation sector.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/BEECH 60/22 Amendment 1, pertains to all models of the Beechcraft 60 and 60A series aeroplanes, with serial numbers ranging from P-3 to P-198. This directive mandates a thorough visual inspection of the elevator hinge brackets, part numbers 60 524078-3 for the left-hand bracket and 60-524078-4 for the right-hand bracket, with a particular focus on detecting any cracks at both ends of the vertical leg and the forward ends of the inclined legs. Compliance with these requirements is crucial, necessitating the replacement of the brackets with improved items as specified in Beechcraft Service Information No. 0342-132, Revision IV. The inspection must occur within 50 hours of time in service following the previous inspection and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service until the replacement is completed. Additionally, the replacement of the brackets must be executed within 200 hours of time in service after the directive's issue date of 20 May 1975. This legislation applies nationally within Australia, governed by the Commonwealth of Australia, and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Beechcraft 60 (Duke) Series Aeroplanes, include the requirement for regular inspections and the replacement of elevator hinge brackets (AD/BEECH 60/22). Section 39-105 mandates a visual inspection of the elevator hinge brackets P/Nos. 60 524078-3 LH and 60-524078-4 RH for any signs of cracking, especially in the specified areas (Section 1). The directive further requires that any brackets found to be cracked should be replaced with improved items as outlined in Beechcraft SI No. 0342-132, Rev. IV (Section 2). The obligations imposed by this Act on the parties or entities it governs include adhering to the specified inspection and replacement intervals. Operators must conduct the visual inspection of the elevator hinge brackets within 50 hours of the previous inspection and ensure subsequent inspections occur at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service until the brackets are replaced (Section 1). Furthermore, operators must ensure that any cracked brackets are replaced within 200 hours of time in service after 20 May 1975 (Section 2). Compliance with these requirements is critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the Beechcraft 60 (Duke) Series Aeroplanes. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state the penalties or consequences for non-compliance within the referenced sections. However, generally, breaches of airworthiness directives can result in severe civil or criminal penalties. These can include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft operation certificates, and potential prosecution under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The exact penalties would depend on the severity and impact of the non-compliance, as well as any resultant safety hazards or incidents.