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 65/66 Cabin Door 13/95 DM
Applicability: Model 65 aircraft with serial numbers L-1, L-2, L-6, LC-1 through LC-239, and LF-7 and LF-8.
Requirement: Fabricate a placard, using letters at least 4mm in height, that consists of the words:
“DO NOT OPERATE THE AIRCRAFT WITH THE CABIN DOOR REMOVED”
Install this placard on the aircraft’s instrument panel within the pilot’s clear view.
A separate direction under CAR 138(3) for incorporation of the applicable flight manual amendment is being provided to Certificate of Registration holders.
Note: FAA AD 95-20-01 R1 refers.
Compliance: Before 3 November 1995.
Background: The Type Certificate Data Sheet for the Beech 65 series aircraft lists several Beech Model aircraft that are eligible for cabin door removal. This listing does not include the Beech Model 65. A recent accident of a Beech Model 65 which was configured for parachute operations, prompted this FAA AD action.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the legislative instrument F2006B04160, were enacted to enhance aviation safety, particularly addressing the specific risks associated with the operation of Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) series aeroplanes. This instrument was introduced to address the problem of accidents related to the improper operation of these aircraft when the cabin door is removed. The objective of the policy is to prevent such accidents by mandating clear and conspicuous warnings to pilots. The Australian Parliament authorised the creation of these regulations, aiming to ensure that all relevant safety directives are strictly followed, thereby maintaining high safety standards within the aviation industry.
The legislative instrument mandates that a placard warning pilots not to operate the aircraft with the cabin door removed must be installed on the instrument panel within the pilot's clear view. This requirement applies to Model 65 aircraft with specific serial numbers. Additionally, a flight manual amendment must be incorporated as directed under CAR 138(3). This legislative action ensures that all Certificate of Registration holders comply with the safety directive before a specified deadline, reinforcing the commitment to preventing accidents related to the misuse of cabin door configurations.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the Commonwealth of Australia's legislative framework, apply to the Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) Series Aeroplanes through specific airworthiness directives that ensure the safety of these aircraft in operation. Specifically, AD/BEECH 65/66 pertains to model 65 aircraft with certain serial numbers, requiring the fabrication and installation of a placard within the pilot's clear view on the instrument panel. This directive mandates the use of letters at least 4mm in height to display the warning "DO NOT OPERATE THE AIRCRAFT WITH THE CABIN DOOR REMOVED." Additionally, Certificate of Registration holders are directed to incorporate the applicable flight manual amendment, as specified under CAR 138(3). This regulation is a response to safety concerns highlighted by an accident involving a Beech Model 65 configured for parachute operations, and it references FAA AD 95-20-01 R1 for further details. Compliance with these directives is required before 3 November 1995, underscoring the urgency and importance of adhering to these safety measures.
Key Provisions
The primary operative sections of the AD/BEECH 65/66 regulation, as set out in Part 39 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, pertain to the mandatory placarding requirement for specific models of Beechcraft 65 aircraft (section 1). This requirement is designed to ensure safety by explicitly prohibiting the operation of the aircraft with the cabin door removed. According to section 2, the placard must be fabricated with letters at least 4mm in height and must contain the words "DO NOT OPERATE THE AIRCRAFT WITH THE CABIN DOOR REMOVED." Furthermore, this placard must be installed on the aircraft’s instrument panel within the pilot's clear view. This directive ensures that the warning is immediately visible to the pilot during operation, thereby reducing the risk of accidents associated with improper cabin door configuration.
The AD/BEECH 65/66 regulation imposes several obligations on the holders of Certificates of Registration for the specified Beechcraft 65 aircraft. Primarily, these certificate holders are required to fabricate and install the prescribed placard as outlined in section 2. Additionally, section 3 mandates that a flight manual amendment must be incorporated in accordance with CAR 138(3). This means that the flight manual must be updated to include the new placarding requirement, ensuring that all pilots are aware of this critical safety directive. Compliance with these obligations must be achieved before 3 November 1995, as specified in section 4.
Failure to comply with the AD/BEECH 65/66 regulation can result in serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). In cases of breach, the regulation does not specify particular civil or criminal penalties within the text provided. However, general provisions within the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can impose penalties including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. The severity of the penalties will depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but the overarching goal is to ensure the highest standards of aviation safety are maintained.