AD/BEECH 60/28 - Wing Strobe Lights

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, form the cornerstone of civil aviation safety regulations in the country. This legislation, specifically within PART 39, provides detailed requirements for the maintenance and operation of aircraft to ensure airworthiness and safety standards are met. One of the key instruments within this framework is the Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 60/28, which addresses a specific issue with the wing strobe lights on Beechcraft 60 (Duke) Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns by mandating the replacement or modification of certain wing strobe light components to prevent potential operational hazards. The policy objective underlying this directive is to maintain high safety standards in civil aviation by ensuring that aircraft are equipped with reliable and effective lighting systems.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses Airworthiness Directives applicable to certain Beechcraft 60 (Duke) Series Aeroplanes. This regulation applies to all models 60 and A60 with serial numbers P-3 through P-222, provided they are equipped with either Hoskins P/N 30-0187-21 or Grimes P/N 30-0669-1 wing strobe lights. The directive mandates compliance with Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 0800-362, requiring corrective actions to be completed within 100 hours of time in service after the directive's issuance date of 29 October 1976. This regulation is applicable within the Commonwealth of Australia, under the oversight of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), ensuring adherence to safety standards for the specified aircraft models. Any deviations from these requirements could result in non-compliance, potentially affecting the airworthiness of the aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, mandate the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which include detailed provisions for maintaining the safety of certain aircraft models. For instance, AD/BEECH 60/28 pertains to the Beechcraft 60 (Duke) Series Aeroplanes (section 1). This directive applies to all models 60 and A60, with serial numbers (S/Nos) ranging from P-3 to P-222, that are equipped with either Hoskins Part Number 30-0187-21 or Grimes Part Number 30-0669-1 wing strobe lights (section 2). The directive requires compliance with Beechcraft Service Instruction (SI) No. 0800-362, ensuring that the specified action is taken regarding the wing strobe lights (section 3). The Act imposes specific obligations on the operators and owners of the affected Beechcraft 60 (Duke) Series Aeroplanes. These obligations include the requirement to perform the necessary action to comply with the specified service instruction within 100 hours of the aircraft being in service after the directive was issued on 29 October 1976 (section 4). This timeframe is crucial for ensuring that the aircraft maintains its airworthiness and adheres to the safety standards set by CASA. Failure to comply with the provisions of the AD/BEECH 60/28 directive could result in various civil and criminal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with airworthiness directives is considered an offence (section 5). The penalties for such offences can be severe, including fines and potential imprisonment for individuals responsible for the non-compliance. The specific maximum penalties for breaches of these regulations are detailed in the broader Civil Aviation Act 1988, which provides for substantial fines and imprisonment terms depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance. It is essential for operators and owners to ensure strict adherence to these directives to avoid any legal repercussions.