COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Beechcraft 77 (Skipper) Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 77/3 Aileron Torque Tube Bearings 4/80
Applicability: All model 77 with S/Nos. WA-1 to WA-78, WA-80 to WA-86 and WA-88. Requirement: Action in accordance with Beechcraft SI No. 1119.
Compliance: Within 25 hours’ time in service after 17 March 1980.
Background: It is possible for the aileron torque tube to bind in the flap spool during flight.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, form a comprehensive set of rules governing all aspects of civil aviation within Australia. Part 39, specifically focusing on the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses critical safety measures for various aircraft types. One such directive is AD/BEECH 77/3 concerning the aileron torque tube bearings of the Beechcraft 77 (Skipper) series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address a potential safety issue where the aileron torque tube could bind in the flap spool during flight, which could compromise the aircraft's control and safety. The policy objective is to ensure that these aircraft are maintained and operated within safe parameters by mandating specific actions to be taken by the operators, as outlined in the directive. Compliance with these safety measures is mandatory for all affected aircraft within 25 hours of their time in service after the directive's issuance on 17 March 1980.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to airworthiness directives, applies to all Beechcraft 77 (Skipper) series aeroplanes with serial numbers WA-1 to WA-78, WA-80 to WA-86, and WA-88. This regulation is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and mandates compliance with Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 1119 concerning aileron torque tube bearings. The requirement necessitates corrective action within 25 hours of time in service after 17 March 1980, to prevent the aileron torque tube from binding in the flap spool during flight. The regulation’s application is limited to the specified serial numbers of the Beechcraft 77 series aeroplanes, ensuring that only these particular aircraft are subject to the directive. The regulation’s jurisdictional reach is national, given it is issued under the Commonwealth of Australia’s Civil Aviation Regulations. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the text, and its application may be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain an Airworthiness Directive (AD) aimed at enhancing the safety of Beechcraft 77 (Skipper) Series Aeroplanes. This directive, designated AD/BEECH 77/3, mandates attention to the aileron torque tube bearings of certain serial numbers (WA-1 to WA-78, WA-80 to WA-86, and WA-88). The primary requirement (section 1) is that these aircraft must undergo specific maintenance actions as outlined in Beechcraft Service Instruction (SI) No. 1119. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with the maintenance action needing to be completed within 25 hours of time in service after 17 March 1980 (section 2).
The obligations imposed by this AD on the parties governed include ensuring that the specified Beechcraft 77 aeroplanes receive the necessary maintenance to address potential binding of the aileron torque tube in the flap spool during flight. This is intended to prevent an unsafe condition that could compromise the aircraft's control and operational safety. Operators and owners of the affected aircraft must follow the detailed procedures provided in Beechcraft SI No. 1119 to rectify the issue, ensuring that these steps are carried out by qualified personnel within the stipulated timeframe.
Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in AD/BEECH 77/3 could result in serious safety hazards, potentially leading to civil or criminal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in substantial fines and other regulatory actions. The severity of the penalties reflects the critical nature of maintaining airworthiness standards to protect public safety. Operators found in breach of these regulations may also face legal action, including potential imprisonment, depending on the circumstances and the degree of non-compliance.