COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 65/47
Amdt 1
Wing Strobe Lights 3/89
Applicability: All models 65-B80, serial numbers LD-270 thru LD-480 and models 70 with S/Nos LB-1 through LB-35 that have either Hoskins P/N 30-0187-21 or Grimes P/N 30- 0669-1 wing strobe lights installed.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Beechcraft SI No. 0800-362. Compliance: Within 100 hours’ time in service after 29 October 1976. Background: Amendment 1 consolidates Queen Air series 65 and 70 aircraft.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, were enacted to establish and enforce the standards for airworthiness and safety in civil aviation, thereby addressing the need for comprehensive regulations governing the operation of aircraft within Australia. This regulatory framework, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), aims to ensure the safety of civil aviation and is instrumental in mitigating the risks associated with aircraft operations. One particular airworthiness directive, AD/BEECH 65/47 Amendment 1, targets the wing strobe lights on Beechcraft 65 and 70 series aeroplanes, ensuring that specific models meet the necessary safety criteria to enhance operational safety and compliance with international standards.
This directive applies to certain serial numbers of Beechcraft 65 and 70 series aircraft and mandates compliance with Beechcraft Service Information No. 0800-362 within 100 hours of service after 29 October 1976. The policy objective is to maintain and improve the airworthiness of these aircraft by ensuring that wing strobe lights meet the required specifications, thus contributing to the overarching goal of enhancing safety in civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, addresses the application of airworthiness directives for various aircraft types, including the Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) series aeroplanes. The legislation mandates that all Beechcraft 65-B80 models with serial numbers ranging from LD-270 to LD-480 and all Beechcraft 70 models with serial numbers from LB-1 to LB-35, which are equipped with either Hoskins P/N 30-0187-21 or Grimes P/N 30-0669-1 wing strobe lights, must comply with the specified requirements. These requirements must be met within 100 hours of time in service after 29 October 1976, as outlined in Beechcraft SI No. 0800-362. The legislation's jurisdiction is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring a consistent standard of airworthiness for these aircraft types. The directive does not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions but implies strict adherence to the specified compliance timeline and action. The application of these regulations extends through subordinate instruments, ensuring detailed operational standards are met by the relevant entities.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a schedule of airworthiness directives, one of which pertains to Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) series aeroplanes. AD/BEECH 65/47 Amendment 1, issued in March 1989, focuses on the wing strobe lights for certain models and serial numbers of these aircraft. The directive applies to all models 65-B80 with serial numbers ranging from LD-270 to LD-480 and models 70 with serial numbers ranging from LB-1 to LB-35, provided they have either Hoskins part number 30-0187-21 or Grimes part number 30-0669-1 wing strobe lights installed (section 1). Compliance with this directive requires actions in accordance with Beechcraft Service Information No. 0800-362 (section 2). Operators must ensure that these actions are completed within 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service after 29 October 1976 (section 3).
The obligations imposed by this directive on the relevant parties, primarily aircraft operators and maintenance personnel, are clear and specific. They must adhere to the requirements outlined in Beechcraft SI No. 0800-362 and ensure that the necessary modifications or actions are carried out on the specified aircraft within the stipulated timeframe (section 1). This includes inspecting the wing strobe lights and ensuring they meet the necessary safety standards as outlined in the service information.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can lead to serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, non-compliance with an airworthiness directive can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could prevent it from operating until the required modifications are made. Additionally, operators who fail to comply with airworthiness directives may face penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The maximum penalty for such breaches can include fines up to $132,000 for corporations and $26,400 for individuals, in addition to potential criminal charges for serious breaches that could result in imprisonment (section 4). The severity of these penalties underscores the importance of strict adherence to the directives to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft.