Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), which were enacted in 1998, provide the legal framework for the regulation of civil aviation in Australia. Part 39 of these regulations, particularly Section 105, outlines the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives (AD) to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. The CAR 1998 was introduced to address the need for a comprehensive set of regulations to govern the civil aviation sector, ensuring safety, efficiency, and compliance with international standards. The policy objective of these regulations is to protect public safety by establishing stringent standards for the operation of aircraft and the maintenance of airworthiness. The Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 65/69, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority on 5 September 2002, is an example of the authority exercised under CAR 1998 to address specific safety concerns. This directive applies to certain Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) Series Aeroplanes, specifically model 65-88 with serial numbers LP-1 through LP-26, LP-28, and LP-30 through LP-47. The directive mandates the modification of exterior door operating procedures by installing a placard as specified in Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 11-3404, issued in June 2001. This action was necessitated by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) finding that the instructions for opening the exit doors on the affected aircraft were either not visible or not easily understood, a conclusion drawn from an accident involving a similar aircraft type. The directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service or 12 calendar months from the directive's effective date of 5 September 2002, whichever occurs first, unless the required action has already been taken.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to the Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) Series Aeroplanes, particularly those with model number 65-88 and serial numbers LP-1 through LP-26, LP-28, and LP-30 through LP-47. This directive mandates the modification of exterior door operating procedures by requiring the installation of a placard as specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 11-3404, issued in June 2001. The directive is effective from 5 September 2002, and compliance is required within 100 hours of time in service or 12 calendar months from the effective date, whichever comes first, unless the action has already been completed. This AD is a measure to address safety concerns identified by the Federal Aviation Administration, following an accident involving a similar type design aircraft, which highlighted issues with the visibility and clarity of the exterior door operating instructions.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) aimed at ensuring the safety of certain aircraft models. In this case, AD/BEECH 65/69 pertains to Beechcraft 65 and 70 (Queen Air) Series Aeroplanes, particularly those with serial numbers LP-1 through LP-26, LP-28, and LP-30 through LP-47 (section 1). This directive was issued to address an identified unsafe condition related to the exterior door operating instructions. The main requirement of this directive is to modify the exterior door operating procedures by installing a placard as specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 11-3404, issued in June 2001 (section 2). This action is necessary to ensure that the instructions for opening the exit doors are visible and comprehensible, following an incident where similar instructions led to confusion and subsequently, an accident. Entities governed by this AD must adhere to the outlined requirements and ensure compliance within the specified timeframe. The directive mandates that the installation of the placard must be completed within 100 hours of time in service or within 12 calendar months after 5 September 2002, whichever comes first (section 3). Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the aircraft not meeting the necessary safety standards, potentially leading to regulatory consequences. In terms of penalties and consequences, the AD itself does not explicitly outline penalties for non-compliance. However, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions may include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates, or other regulatory sanctions. The specific penalties for non-compliance with ADs are generally aligned with the broader regulatory framework under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which can include significant financial penalties and potential criminal charges for serious breaches.