Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted by the Australian Government, form a comprehensive set of rules governing civil aviation safety within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 of these regulations addresses Airworthiness Directives, which are mandatory instructions issued to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive, AD/BEECH 65/10 Amendment 1, pertains to the inspection of the lower rudder hinge assembly for Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the identified problem of potential structural integrity issues in the lower rudder hinge assembly, which could compromise the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft if not regularly inspected. The policy objective of this regulation is to ensure that all specified models of Beechcraft aeroplanes are maintained to a high standard of safety, thereby protecting both the crew and passengers.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) series aeroplanes. This legislation mandates inspections of the lower rudder hinge assembly within 100 hours’ time in service after 6 June 1969, as detailed in Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 0170-131. The regulation is applicable to all models within this series, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft types. The scope of this directive is national, encompassing all operations within Australia, and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. There are no specific exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds outlined in this particular directive, and any further elaboration on the application or interpretation of these regulations may be found in subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, address the airworthiness directives for Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) series aeroplanes through Amendment 1. This directive mandates a critical inspection of the lower rudder hinge assembly (section 6/69). The requirement is that this inspection must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after the directive was issued on 6 June 1969, as outlined in Beechcraft Service Information No. 0170-131. This ensures that any potential issues with the rudder hinge assembly are identified and addressed in a timely manner, thus maintaining the aircraft's airworthiness. Compliance with these directives is mandatory for all operators of Beechcraft 65 and 70 series aeroplanes. The operators must ensure that the specified inspection is conducted within the stipulated timeframe, and the findings are documented. This documentation serves as evidence of compliance with the airworthiness directive, which is crucial for the continued certification of the aircraft. Failure to adhere to these requirements can lead to the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, thereby preventing its operation until the required inspections and repairs are completed. Breaching the requirements of these airworthiness directives can result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential criminal charges for operators who fail to meet these safety standards. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take action against non-compliant operators, which may include grounding the aircraft, imposing financial penalties, and pursuing legal action. The seriousness of these consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew on board the aircraft.