Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39, address the safety and operational standards of civil aviation in Australia. One such regulation, the Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes, was introduced to ensure the safety of aircraft by mandating specific inspections and maintenance procedures. This AD, AD/BEECH 90/60, was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address a potential safety issue identified by the manufacturer, whereby the left-hand rudder cable of certain King Air models might have been incorrectly routed during their original installation. The policy objective of this regulation is to mitigate potential risks to flight safety by requiring inspections to be conducted within 100 hours’ time in service after 31 July 1981, as detailed in Beechcraft Service Information No. 1172.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety of aircraft through various airworthiness directives. The focus here is on the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes, with a particular directive AD/BEECH 90/60 concerning the left-hand rudder cable installation. This directive applies to all model F90 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from LA-2 to LA-33 and LA-35, as per the manufacturer's advisory documented in Beechcraft SI No. 1172. The directive mandates an inspection of the left-hand rudder cable installation within 100 hours’ time in service after 31 July 1981. This inspection requirement stems from the potential for the rudder cable to have been incorrectly routed during the original installation, which could compromise the aircraft's safety and handling characteristics. The scope of this directive is narrowly defined to the specified serial numbers, ensuring that only the affected aircraft are subject to the compliance requirements set out by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which governs the maintenance and inspection requirements for certain aircraft. One such directive is AD/BEECH 90/60, which pertains to the left-hand rudder cable installation on Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes. The directive applies to all model F90 with serial numbers LA-2 to LA-33 and LA-35. This directive was issued in response to concerns regarding the correct routing of the left-hand rudder cable during the original installation, as documented in Beechcraft Service Information No. 1172. Under AD/BEECH 90/60, the primary requirement is that an inspection of the left-hand rudder cable installation must be conducted. This inspection must occur within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1981. The directive aims to ensure that the rudder cable is correctly routed, preventing potential safety hazards that could arise from an incorrect installation. This is a critical requirement to maintain the airworthiness of the affected aircraft. The obligations imposed by AD/BEECH 90/60 are primarily on the operators and maintenance personnel of the affected Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 series aeroplanes. They must ensure that the specified inspection is performed by qualified personnel within the stipulated timeframe. This includes verifying that the left-hand rudder cable is correctly installed and routed according to the manufacturer's specifications. Failure to comply with this directive can result in serious safety risks, including potential loss of control over the aircraft. Non-compliance with AD/BEECH 90/60 can result in significant legal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, failure to adhere to an airworthiness directive can lead to penalties, including fines and potential prosecution. The specific penalties can vary based on the severity of the breach and the impact on safety. In the most serious cases, non-compliance can result in criminal charges, with maximum penalties including substantial fines and imprisonment. It is crucial for operators and maintenance personnel to strictly follow these directives to ensure the continued safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.