AD/BEECH 65/42 - Elevator Stop Bolts - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, address the need to ensure the ongoing safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australia. The regulations were enacted to maintain high safety standards and were introduced by the Australian Parliament to establish a comprehensive framework governing civil aviation. This particular legislative instrument, F2006B04139, focuses on issuing Airworthiness Directives for specific aircraft models, such as the Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) Series Aeroplanes, to address specific safety issues. The directive in question, AD/BEECH 65/42, mandates the modification of elevator stop bolts for certain serial numbers of the model 65-B80 to ensure compliance within 100 hours’ time in service after 30 September 1974, reflecting the policy objective of mitigating safety risks associated with these aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the modification of elevator stop bolts for Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) Series Aeroplanes, with a particular focus on model 65-B80 with serial numbers LD-452 to LD-468. This regulation is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is applicable to all operators and owners of the specified aircraft models. Compliance with the directive is mandatory, requiring that the modification be implemented within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1974, as detailed in Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 0618-152. The legislation extends its application to all relevant aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that the safety standards prescribed by CASA are uniformly adhered to across the nation. The regulation does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, and its scope is clearly defined by the specified aircraft models and serial numbers, ensuring precise and targeted enforcement.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contains the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (ADs), including AD/BEECH 65/42 concerning the Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) Series Aeroplanes. This directive mandates modifications to elevator stop bolts for specific model 65-B80 aircraft, with serial numbers ranging from LD-452 to LD-468. The directive was issued on 9/74 and references Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 0618-152 for compliance. Section 39-105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations requires compliance with the ADs listed under this part. Specifically, for the Beechcraft 65 and 70 series aeroplanes, Section AD/BEECH 65/42 requires the modification of elevator stop bolts for the applicable aircraft. This modification must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1974. The directive applies to all model 65-B80 aircraft within the specified serial number range. The AD imposes obligations on the owners and operators of the affected Beechcraft 65 and 70 series aeroplanes. These parties must ensure that the modifications to the elevator stop bolts are carried out according to the specifications outlined in Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 0618-152. Compliance with the directive is mandatory, and failure to meet the required timeframe could result in non-compliance with aviation safety standards. Failure to comply with the AD/BEECH 65/42 directive can lead to serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance may result in enforcement actions by CASA, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not specify a maximum penalty for breaches of ADs, but the severity of penalties can vary based on the nature and extent of the non-compliance. In some cases, severe non-compliance can lead to criminal charges, resulting in significant fines and imprisonment for responsible individuals or entities. It is therefore crucial for aircraft owners and operators to adhere strictly to the requirements of the AD to avoid any legal repercussions.