COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Beechcraft 76 (Duchess) Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 76/14 Engine Control Rod Safety Washers 8/83
Applicability: Model 76 with S/Nos. ME-1 to ME-434. Requirement: Action in accordance with Beechcraft SI No. 1243.
Compliance: Within 100 hours’ time in service after 30 September 1983.
Background: The manufacturer considers it necessary to install a safety feature to the engine control rod ends.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations, detailed in the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandates certain safety measures for aircraft to maintain airworthiness. One such directive, AD/BEECH 76/14, pertains to Beechcraft 76 (Duchess) Series Aeroplanes, addressing the installation of safety washers on engine control rods. This directive was enacted to mitigate the risk of engine failure due to wear or failure of the engine control rod ends, which could potentially lead to catastrophic outcomes. The requirement to comply with this directive is applicable to Model 76 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from ME-1 to ME-434, and must be adhered to within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1983. The policy objective behind this directive is to enhance the overall safety of these aircraft by implementing a critical safety feature recommended by the manufacturer.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Beechcraft 76 (Duchess) Series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from ME-1 to ME-434, ensuring these aircraft meet certain safety standards. This legislation mandates that compliance with the specified Airworthiness Directive (AD/BEECH 76/14) must be achieved within 100 hours of the aircraft’s time in service after 30 September 1983. The requirement is directly linked to Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 1243, which outlines the necessary action to install a safety feature at the engine control rod ends to mitigate potential risks. The regulations extend to the Commonwealth level, ensuring a uniform approach to aviation safety across Australia. There are no exclusions or exemptions mentioned within this directive, thus applying universally to the specified aircraft within the stipulated timeframe.
Key Provisions
The primary operative sections of this Civil Aviation Regulation (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105) pertain to Airworthiness Directives (AD) for specific aircraft models, in this case, the Beechcraft 76 (Duchess) series aeroplanes (AD/BEECH 76/14). The regulation mandates the installation of safety washers on engine control rods for aircraft serial numbers ME-1 to ME-434. This action must be taken in compliance with Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 1243. The requirement necessitates that this installation be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1983. The directive is designed to enhance the safety of engine control rod ends, as determined necessary by the manufacturer.
The obligations imposed by this regulation on the parties involved, particularly operators and owners of the specified Beechcraft 76 series aeroplanes, are clear and specific. They must ensure that the required action, namely the installation of safety washers on engine control rods, is carried out in accordance with the instructions provided by Beechcraft (Service Instruction No. 1243). This must be done within the stipulated timeframe of 100 hours of time in service post 30 September 1983. Failure to comply with these directives can result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, which would prohibit its operation until the required action is taken.
Breaching the obligations set forth in this regulation can lead to significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce compliance, and non-compliance may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, the maximum penalties for such breaches can include substantial fines and, in more severe cases, imprisonment. Specifically, for individuals, the maximum penalty can be up to $210,000, while for corporations, it can be up to $1,050,000. Additionally, CASA can issue directives to rectify the non-compliance, which may include grounding the aircraft until the required safety measures are implemented.