AD/BEECH 65/36 Amdt 1 - Exhaust Augmenter Clamps

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, were introduced to ensure the safe operation of civil aviation within the country. Specifically, Part 39 - 105, concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, addresses the safety of aircraft such as the Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) series aeroplanes. This legislation mandates the inspection of exhaust augmenter clamps on these aircraft to ensure their security, aiming to prevent potential failure due to inadequate clamping, which could compromise the safety of the aircraft. The policy objective is to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation by requiring regular maintenance and inspections of critical components. The specific directive, AD/BEECH 65/36 Amendment 1, focuses on the exhaust augmenter clamps of Queen Air 65 and 70 models, requiring inspections to be carried out within 100 hours of time in service after 30 March 1973. This directive emphasises the importance of proper clearance and torque settings to ensure that the clamps are secure and functioning correctly, thereby mitigating any risk of in-flight failure. The amendment consolidates previous directives, ensuring a consistent and comprehensive approach to the maintenance and safety of these aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and its issuance of airworthiness directives, including those for the Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) Series Aeroplanes. This regulation applies to all aircraft within the specified models, mandating compliance with the airworthiness directives set forth to ensure safety standards are met. The regulation's scope is clear in its requirement for inspecting the clamps on the main augmenter tubes, with a focus on the forward clamp at the rear of the firewall, ensuring adequate clearance is present when fully tightened. Compliance with these directives must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service following 30 March 1973. This directive is part of the broader regulatory framework managed by CASA, which extends its jurisdiction across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of all aircraft operating within its jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which mandates certain safety measures for aircraft types, including the Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) series aeroplanes. The directive AD/BEECH 65/36 Amendment 1 pertains to exhaust augmenter clamps, and it applies to all models of Queen Air 65 and 70. The directive requires that the clamps on the main augmenter tubes be inspected for security, with a particular focus on the forward clamp at the rear of the firewall. This inspection is crucial to ensure there is adequate clearance between the two halves of the clamp when fully tightened. Under this regulation, the operators of Queen Air 65 and 70 aircraft must conduct the specified inspection within 100 hours of time in service after 30 March 1973. The bolts used, AN4-13A, are longer than necessary, and therefore, must be fitted with the appropriate number of spacing washers. Operators must take care to ensure that the nut does not bottom on the thread when fully torqued, with the recommended torque values for the clamp nuts ranging from 50 to 70 in. lbs, and a maximum of 100 in. lbs. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in significant safety risks, as the clamps are critical components in ensuring the structural integrity of the exhaust system. Non-compliance with the airworthiness directive could lead to severe consequences, potentially including the grounding of the aircraft until the necessary inspections and repairs are completed. The regulations are designed to ensure that all operators maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft, thereby contributing to the overall safety of civil aviation in Australia.