AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BEECH 90/22 Amdt 2 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Beechcraft 90 & 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 90/22
Amdt 3
Wing Structural Fatigue Limitation 2/2002
Applicability: Model 65-A90, B90, & C90 aircraft with centre section and outer wing main spar lower caps exceeding 10,000 hours’ time in service.
Requirement: Retire from service the centre section and outer wing main spar lower caps, including the centre-section to outer wing attachment fittings.
This life limitation assumes an average mean flight cruise weight of 9050 pounds and one landing per hour. Should the mean cruise weights, averaged over the life of the aircraft be greater than 9100 pounds or should landings occur on average at or greater frequency than one every 45 minutes, the Authority must be advised.
Operators of Model 65-A90 aircraft which was originally certificated at a maximum gross weight of 9300 pounds may apply to the Authority for a revised spar life.
Note: On the basis of the currently available fatigue substantiation for the aircraft, only one spar cap replacement is permitted. Any proposal for a further extension in life incorporating a second spar change must be supported by a substantiation covering all the remaining primary structure including empennage, control surface hinge arms etc. This substantiation must incorporate a safe life assessment, or a sufficiently rigorous revised inspection schedule to ensure that any fatigue cracking which could occur in service will be detected before the aircraft is endangered. A third spar change will not be permitted.
This amendment becomes effective on 21 February 2002.
Background Amdt 3 - The model designations in the applicability section have been corrected to reflect those given on the FAA Type Certificate.
Beechcraft 90 & 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 90/22 Amdt 3 (continued)
Amendment 2 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 30 June 1977.
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 3 January 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 30 January 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has introduced an Airworthiness Directive (AD) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/BEECH 90/22 Amendment 3, aimed at addressing safety concerns related to the structural integrity of the wing main spar lower caps in the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes. This AD was issued to mandate the retirement from service of the centre section and outer wing main spar lower caps, including the centre-section to outer wing attachment fittings, for Model 65-A90, B90, and C90 aircraft that have exceeded 10,000 hours’ time in service. The policy objective is to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft by preventing potential fatigue-related failures, thereby enhancing aviation safety. This amendment, which became effective on 21 February 2002, aims to correct the previously identified applicability errors and aligns the AD with the FAA Type Certificate designations.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive applies to Model 65-A90, B90, and C90 aircraft within the Beechcraft 90 & 65-90 (King Air) series, specifically those with centre section and outer wing main spar lower caps that have exceeded 10,000 hours' time in service. The directive mandates that these specific components be retired from service and replaced, taking into account an average mean flight cruise weight of 9050 pounds and a flight frequency of one landing per hour. For aircraft with higher mean cruise weights or more frequent landings, operators must notify the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This directive extends to the Commonwealth of Australia and is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority as a delegate of the relevant authority. The directive does not permit more than one spar cap replacement without substantiation, and any further proposals for life extension must be supported by a comprehensive substantiation of all remaining primary structure and include either a safe life assessment or a rigorous revised inspection schedule. The requirement to retire the specified components is effective from 21 February 2002 and was notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 30 January 2002.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 90/22 Amdt 3 issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifies the requirements for the retirement of certain components of the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes. The AD applies to Model 65-A90, B90, and C90 aircraft with centre section and outer wing main spar lower caps that have exceeded 10,000 hours' time in service (Section 2). The requirement under this AD is to retire the centre section and outer wing main spar lower caps, including the centre-section to outer wing attachment fittings (Section 3). This directive assumes an average mean flight cruise weight of 9050 pounds and one landing per hour. If the mean cruise weights are greater than 9100 pounds or if landings occur more frequently than one every 45 minutes, operators must notify the Authority. Operators of Model 65-A90 aircraft originally certificated at a maximum gross weight of 9300 pounds may apply to the Authority for a revised spar life (Section 3).
Operators of the specified aircraft must ensure that the required actions are taken in accordance with the instructions set out in the AD, at the time specified in the compliance section (Section 1(c)). Operators must also notify the Authority if the mean cruise weights exceed 9100 pounds or if landings occur at a frequency greater than one every 45 minutes (Section 3). In addition, operators must ensure that any proposal for a further extension in life incorporating a second spar change is supported by a substantiation covering all the remaining primary structure. This substantiation must incorporate a safe life assessment, or a sufficiently rigorous revised inspection schedule to ensure that any fatigue cracking which could occur in service will be detected before the aircraft is endangered (Section 3).
Failure to comply with the AD may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential enforcement action by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The AD does not specify particular offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach. However, non-compliance with CASA directives can result in significant penalties, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft, as well as civil and criminal liability for any accidents or incidents resulting from non-compliance (Section 1). CASA retains the right to take appropriate action to ensure compliance with the AD to maintain the safety of the aircraft and its occupants.