Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. Part 39 of these regulations includes Airworthiness Directives that address specific safety issues with particular aircraft models. The directive AD/BEECH 90/59 pertains to Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes, specifically addressing the modification of the elevator control horn attachment. This directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of looseness in the elevator control horn attachments under service conditions, which could compromise the aircraft's control and safety. The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and requires compliance within 100 hours’ time in service after 31 May 1981, for all model F90 with serial numbers LA-2 to LA-43, as documented in Beechcraft Service Information No. 1111, Revision 1.5/81. The overarching policy objective is to maintain and enhance aviation safety by ensuring that aircraft meet the necessary safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, specifically address the airworthiness of aircraft through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in various parts, including Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This legislation applies to all Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes, particularly model F90 with serial numbers ranging from LA-2 to LA-43. The directive aims to ensure the structural integrity and safety of these aircraft by mandating a modification to the elevator control horn attachments to prevent looseness, which could potentially compromise flight safety. The modification must be undertaken within 100 hours’ time in service after 31 May 1981, unless it has already been completed. This directive underscores the importance of adhering to specific safety standards to maintain the operational airworthiness of these aircraft, ensuring that they meet the stringent safety requirements set forth by CASA.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/BEECH 90/59, pertain to the modifications required for the elevator control horn attachment of Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes. Section 39.105 of the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives mandates that all model F90 with serial numbers LA-2 to LA-43 must undergo the specified modification unless it has already been completed (AD/BEECH 90/59). This directive applies to aircraft that have accrued 100 hours of service time following 31 May 1981. The directive references Beechcraft Service Information No. 1111, Revision 1.5/81, which details the necessary modifications to ensure compliance. The obligations imposed by these regulations are straightforward yet critical. Operators of the affected Beechcraft 90 series aeroplanes must ensure that the elevator control horn attachments are modified according to the specifications provided in the referenced service information. This modification is aimed at preventing the development of looseness in the control connection, which could potentially compromise the safety of the aircraft during flight. Operators must keep meticulous records of the modifications and the hours of service to demonstrate compliance with the directive. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces these regulations rigorously, and non-compliance can result in enforcement actions. While specific penalties are not detailed in the text, breaches of airworthiness directives can typically lead to substantial civil penalties, potential grounding of the aircraft, and criminal charges against responsible individuals or entities. The severity of penalties often correlates with the level of risk posed by the non-compliance to aviation safety.