COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 90/24 Fuel Vent Heater Wiring - Inspection 9/71
Applicability: All models fitted with electrical fuel vent heaters.
Requirement: 1. Disconnect the electrical power supply to both fuel vent heaters and install a warning placard or tag that system is inoperative.
Note: If this is accomplished by tripping the appropriate circuit breaker, a clip must be placed over the shank of the circuit breaker to prevent inadvertent resetting.
2. Inspect the fuel vent heater electric wiring in the wing area for signs of chafing.
3. Either secure the wiring to prevent chafing or cover the wiring with plastic sleeving to prevent chafing.
Compliance: Para. 1 - Within 10 hours’ time in service after 30 September 1971.
Paras. 2 and 3 - Before reconnecting the fuel vent heaters to the electrical system.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, is a comprehensive set of rules governing civil aviation safety. One of the legislative instruments under this act, F2006B04215, was introduced to address specific safety concerns related to certain models of aeroplanes, namely the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series. This particular legislative instrument aims to mitigate risks associated with fuel vent heater wiring by mandating a series of inspection and maintenance procedures to prevent potential electrical issues that could compromise flight safety. The policy objective is to ensure that aeroplanes meet stringent safety standards, thereby protecting passengers and crew, and maintaining the integrity of the national airspace.
The legislative instrument AD/BEECH 90/24 outlines specific requirements for inspecting and maintaining the fuel vent heater wiring on Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 aeroplanes. It requires operators to disconnect the electrical power supply to the fuel vent heaters and install warning placards, inspect the wiring for signs of chafing, and take corrective measures such as securing or covering the wiring to prevent further damage. These requirements are designed to be implemented within specified timeframes to ensure compliance and maintain airworthiness standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and applies to all aeroplanes that fall under the specified regulations. In this case, the airworthiness directive AD/BEECH 90/24 applies to all Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series aeroplanes that are fitted with electrical fuel vent heaters. The directive mandates specific actions to be undertaken to ensure the safety of these aircraft. It requires operators to disconnect the electrical power supply to both fuel vent heaters and install a warning placard or tag indicating the system is inoperative. The directive also includes steps to inspect the wiring for signs of chafing and to take appropriate measures to secure the wiring or cover it with plastic sleeving to prevent further damage. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory, with specific timelines and conditions for the inspection and corrective actions. The directive extends its reach nationally, applying to all relevant aircraft operating within Australia, and any failure to comply with these airworthiness directives could result in severe penalties and grounding of the aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, include AD/BEECH 90/24 which pertains to the fuel vent heater wiring inspection of Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes (Section 39-105). This directive applies to all models equipped with electrical fuel vent heaters (Section 9/71). The directive requires operators to perform several actions to ensure safety. Firstly, the electrical power supply to both fuel vent heaters must be disconnected, and a warning placard or tag must be installed to indicate the system is inoperative. If the disconnection is achieved by tripping the appropriate circuit breaker, a clip must be placed over the shank of the circuit breaker to prevent inadvertent resetting (Section 1). Secondly, the wiring in the wing area must be inspected for signs of chafing. Finally, operators must either secure the wiring to prevent chafing or cover the wiring with plastic sleeving to prevent chafing (Sections 2 and 3).
Operators of the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes are obligated to comply with the directive's stipulations. Specifically, they must disconnect the electrical power supply to the fuel vent heaters and ensure a warning placard or tag is in place within 10 hours of the aircraft being in service after 30 September 1971 (Section 1). Additionally, before the fuel vent heaters are reconnected to the electrical system, the wiring in the wing area must be inspected for chafing and either secured or covered with plastic sleeving to prevent further chafing (Sections 2 and 3). These actions are necessary to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensure the safety of its operation.
Failure to comply with AD/BEECH 90/24 can result in serious consequences. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance with this directive, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to severe repercussions. This includes potential enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which may involve fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, or other administrative penalties. Additionally, operators may face civil or criminal liability if non-compliance results in an aviation incident or accident, leading to potential criminal charges and substantial fines under Australian aviation law.