Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted in 1998, govern the operation of civil aviation in Australia. This regulation, particularly Part 39, addresses airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products. One such directive, AD/BEECH 65/68, was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety concerns with the Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) series aeroplanes, specifically focusing on the magnesium metal bonded elevator assembly. The policy objective behind this directive is to ensure that the identified unsafe conditions, such as the potential for elevator skin separation due to inadequate corrosion treatment, are rectified to maintain the airworthiness of the affected aircraft. The directive mandates specific actions to be taken in accordance with relevant service bulletins and sets a compliance deadline to prevent potential operational hazards.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive, issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, applies specifically to certain models of Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) series aeroplanes, identified by their model and serial numbers. The directive mandates actions to address an unsafe condition related to the magnesium metal bonded elevator assembly. Owners and operators of the specified aircraft must comply with the directive by performing a check to determine if an affected elevator skin assembly is installed, and replace any such assembly before further flight. The directive became effective on 28 December 2000, and compliance is required before 28 January 2001. This AD extends the application of the Civil Aviation Regulations by specifying precise corrective actions in response to identified safety concerns, as determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 under subregulation 39.1(1), empower the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives (AD) to address safety concerns in aircraft. This particular AD, AD/BEECH 65/68, pertains to Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) series aeroplanes and mandates specific actions to mitigate identified risks. The directive applies to certain model serial numbers of the aircraft as outlined in the applicability section (section 13/2000). The directive requires that aircraft owners or operators must follow the instructions detailed in Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 27-3396, issued in May 2000 and revised in June 2000, to ensure compliance with safety standards (section 13/2000). Owners or operators must conduct a check to determine whether an affected elevator skin assembly is installed and replace any such assembly before further flight, with the compliance deadline set before 28 January 2001 (section 13/2000). The AD imposes obligations on aircraft owners and operators to ensure that the specified actions are undertaken in accordance with the set requirements. Owners or operators must ensure that all affected elevator skin assemblies are inspected and, if necessary, replaced by a certified technician. This involves identifying the aircraft model and serial numbers covered by the directive, conducting the required inspection, and performing any necessary replacements before further flight. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which would prevent it from operating until the required actions are completed. The AD emphasises the importance of adhering to the specified compliance timeline and the instructions provided in the referenced service bulletin to maintain airworthiness. Non-compliance with this Airworthiness Directive could lead to significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 stipulate that failure to adhere to ADs can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties can include imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness of disregarding safety directives. The maximum penalties for such breaches are not specified in the directive itself but are generally detailed in the broader regulatory framework governing aviation safety. The AD aims to prevent potential hazards, such as skin separation from the elevator assembly, which could lead to aircraft flutter and a consequent loss of control, thereby ensuring the safety of flight operations.