Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were enacted to establish a comprehensive framework for the regulation of civil aviation in Australia, addressing various safety concerns and ensuring the protection of the public and property. One specific legislative instrument, F2006B04209, concerns Airworthiness Directives for certain aircraft models, particularly focusing on the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes. This particular directive, AD/BEECH 90/16, was introduced to address issues with the rudder spar and hinges on these models, aiming to enhance safety through mandated inspections and modifications. The directive applies to models 65-90, 65-A90, and B90 with serial numbers LJ-1 to LJ-428, as outlined in the Beechcraft Service Information Notice 0101-135.5/69. Compliance with this directive requires an inspection within 100 hours’ time in service after 12 May 1969 and subsequent inspections at intervals not exceeding 100 hours’ time in service until the necessary modifications are completed, with the modification deadline set for 1 August 1969.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandates airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models. One such directive, AD/BEECH 90/16, pertains to the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to models 65-90, 65-A90, and B90 with serial numbers ranging from LJ-1 to LJ-428. The regulation is concerned with the rudder spar and hinges, demanding an inspection within 100 hours' time in service following 12 May 1969 and then at intervals not exceeding 100 hours' time in service until the specified modifications are completed. Furthermore, these modifications must be made before 1 August 1969. The scope of the legislation is thus confined to the specified aircraft models and includes strict timelines for inspection and modification to ensure compliance with safety standards. The directive is applicable nationally, governed by the Commonwealth of Australia, and does not provide for any exclusions or exemptions as per the stated provisions.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), specifically Part 39 - 105, establish a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, with AD/BEECH 90/16 focusing on the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes. Section 39.105 of the regulations mandates the inspection of rudder spars and hinges in the specified models (65-90, 65-A90, and B90) with serial numbers ranging from LJ-1 to LJ-428. This inspection is required within 100 hours of service time after 12 May 1969, and must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 100 hours’ time in service until the modifications are completed (Section 39.105(1)). The regulations impose several obligations on the entities governed by these provisions. Firstly, operators of the specified Beechcraft models must ensure that the rudder spars and hinges are inspected within the stipulated timeframes (Section 39.105(1)). Secondly, operators must modify the rudder spars and hinges before 1 August 1969 to ensure compliance with the airworthiness directives (Section 39.105(2)). These obligations are intended to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft in question. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the AD/BEECH 90/16 can result in various consequences under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth) and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth). Non-compliance with airworthiness directives is considered an offence under Section 63 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth). The penalties for such offences can include fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. Specifically, under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), non-compliance with an airworthiness directive can result in a maximum penalty of 50 penalty units for an individual and 250 penalty units for a body corporate, as outlined in Section 39.105. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the mandated inspection and modification schedules to avoid legal repercussions.