AD/BEECH 90/19 Amdt 3 - Elevator Control Rod - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, serve to regulate the safety standards of civil aviation within Australia. This legislation, under PART 39 - 105, specifically addresses the issuance of airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority issues these directives, which in this instance, pertain to the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes. The policy objective is to mandate regular inspections of the elevator control rod to prevent potential safety hazards that could compromise flight safety. This directive, AD/BEECH 90/19 Amendment 3, was introduced to ensure that the specified models and serial numbers of the King Air series are subject to rigorous inspection protocols to maintain airworthiness and safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the legislative framework governing civil aviation in Australia, extends to all aviation operations within the Commonwealth and its territories. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which pertains to the maintenance and inspection of aircraft to ensure safety standards are met. The legislation applies to all Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes, including models 65-90, 65-A90, B90, C-90, and E90, with specific serial numbers as outlined in the Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 90/19 Amendment 3. This directive mandates the inspection of elevator control rods to mitigate identified safety risks. The regulation's jurisdictional reach encompasses all such aircraft operating within Australia, ensuring compliance with the specified maintenance requirements to maintain airworthiness. The regulations do not provide specific exclusions or exemptions within this directive but rely on subordinate instruments to extend or restrict their application as necessary.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/BEECH 90/19 Amendment 3, mandate that all Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes within specified serial number ranges must undergo an inspection of the elevator control rod (section 39-105.12/78). This directive applies to models 65-90, 65-A90, B90, C-90, and E90 within their respective serial number brackets. The purpose of this inspection is to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft by identifying and rectifying any issues with the elevator control rod that could compromise flight safety. The Act imposes obligations on aircraft owners and operators to comply with the Airworthiness Directives outlined in the regulations. This includes conducting the specified inspection of the elevator control rod as per the detailed requirements in Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 0334-152, Revision III. The inspection must be performed by appropriately certified personnel to ensure that the control rod is free from any defects, wear, or damage that could affect its functionality. Operators must also maintain records of the inspections and any corrective actions taken. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives can result in serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance can lead to civil penalties, including fines and potential legal action. The severity of the penalty depends on the extent of the non-compliance and the risk posed to aviation safety. Additionally, continued operation of an aircraft that does not meet the airworthiness standards can result in the aircraft being grounded, which can have significant operational and financial implications for the operator.