Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, as amended, were enacted to ensure the safety of aviation operations within Australia, addressing the need for consistent and rigorous safety standards across the industry. One such amendment, the Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 90/101 issued in 2003, focuses specifically on the safety of Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes. This directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address an identified safety concern regarding the external door operating procedures on these aircraft. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure that emergency exits can be opened effectively during an emergency, thereby enhancing overall flight safety. The directive mandates specific modifications to the exterior door operating instructions in accordance with the detailed requirements set out in the Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 52-3096 Revision 1.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of Airworthiness Directives, sets forth requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australia. The directive applies to specific models of Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes, encompassing serial numbers ranging from LJ-1 through LJ-1530, LW-1 through LW-347, and LA-2 through LA-236. The directive mandates modifications to the external door operating procedures, requiring the incorporation of an applicable kit following instructions specified in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 52-3096 Revision 1, Revised: June 2002. This action is necessary to correct identified unsafe conditions and ensure that emergency exits can be opened during an emergency. The directive became effective on 17 April 2003, with a compliance requirement within 200 hours’ time in service or 12 calendar months from that date, whichever occurs first, unless the modification has already been accomplished. The directive is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring adherence to safety standards across the aviation industry in Australia.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, outlines the requirements for ensuring the safe operation of certain aircraft models. The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BEECH 90/101, issued on 4 April 2003, pertains to the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes, requiring modifications to the exterior door operating procedures. The applicability section specifies that the AD applies to Model 65-90, 65-A90, B90, C90, and C90A aircraft within certain serial numbers, as well as Model E90 and F90 aircraft within their respective serial number ranges. The requirement section mandates that operators modify the exterior door operating procedures by incorporating an applicable kit, following instructions provided in the Accomplishment Instructions section of Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 52-3096 Revision 1, Revised: June 2002. This directive references FAA AD 2003-02-03 Amdt 39-13019 and aims to improve the visibility and legibility of exterior operating instruction placards to ensure doors or emergency exits can be opened during an emergency situation. The compliance section stipulates that the required modifications must be completed within 200 hours’ time in service or 12 calendar months after 17 April 2003, whichever occurs first, unless the modifications have already been accomplished. Operators and entities governed by this AD must adhere to the specified requirements and timeframes. Failure to comply with the AD can result in civil or criminal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with ADs can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This may include fines, enforcement notices, or other regulatory measures. The potential penalties for non-compliance are significant, as CASA has the authority to take action against operators and individuals who fail to adhere to airworthiness directives. This underscores the importance of timely compliance to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft models.