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 90/61 Pilot and Co-Pilot Seatback Pan - Modification 7/81
Applicability: All models C90 with S/Nos. LJ-803 to LJ-956. All models E90 with S/Nos. LW-301 to LW-347. All models F90 with S/Nos. LA-2 to LA-125.
Document: Beechcraft SI No. 1176.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, within 100 hours’ time in service after 31 July 1981.
Background: There is a possibility that the shoulder harness could jam and cause slack in the assembly due to insufficient clearance in the seat structure.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, to enhance the safety of civil aviation in Australia. This regulatory framework was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to ensure that all aircraft operating within Australian airspace meet stringent safety standards. One such regulation pertains to the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes, where Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 90/61 was established to address a specific safety concern. This directive mandates a modification to the pilot and co-pilot seatback pan to prevent potential jamming of the shoulder harness, which could lead to inadequate restraint in the event of an emergency. The directive applies to certain serial number ranges of C90, E90, and F90 models, requiring compliance within 100 hours of service after 31 July 1981.
The policy objective behind these regulations is to mitigate the risk of in-flight incidents caused by seat harness malfunctions, thereby ensuring the safety of all personnel onboard. By implementing these measures, CASA aims to maintain high safety standards and uphold the integrity of the nation's civil aviation system. The compliance requirement underscores the importance of timely and effective interventions to address potential safety hazards in aircraft design and operation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, encompasses specific airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models, such as the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes. The regulation in focus, AD/BEECH 90/61, mandates modifications to the pilot and co-pilot seatback pan to address potential safety issues related to shoulder harness jamming, which could lead to slack in the assembly due to insufficient clearance in the seat structure. This directive applies to all models C90 with serial numbers LJ-803 to LJ-956, all models E90 with serial numbers LW-301 to LW-347, and all models F90 with serial numbers LA-2 to LA-125. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, requiring the specified modifications to be completed within 100 hours’ time in service following 31 July 1981, as outlined in Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 1176. This regulation ensures that these specific aircraft models meet the required safety standards and mitigates any potential risks associated with the identified issue.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, concern the Airworthiness Directives issued for Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes. This includes AD/BEECH 90/61, which mandates modifications to the pilot and co-pilot seatback pan to prevent potential shoulder harness jams that could cause slack in the assembly due to insufficient clearance in the seat structure (section 39.105). The applicability of this directive covers all models C90 with serial numbers LJ-803 to LJ-956, all models E90 with serial numbers LW-301 to LW-347, and all models F90 with serial numbers LA-2 to LA-125. Compliance is required unless the modification has already been accomplished, within 100 hours’ time in service after 31 July 1981.
The obligations imposed by this directive are primarily on the operators and owners of the specified Beechcraft aeroplanes. They must ensure that the modifications outlined in AD/BEECH 90/61 are carried out within the specified timeframe. This includes ensuring that the shoulder harness assembly is inspected and modified if necessary to prevent jamming and slacking. The directive references Beechcraft SI No. 1176 as the document containing the necessary modifications and compliance guidelines. Operators must maintain records of compliance to demonstrate adherence to the Airworthiness Directive.
Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically AD/BEECH 90/61, can lead to significant consequences. Operators and owners may face penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which can include fines and other sanctions for non-compliance. The exact penalties are not detailed in the Airworthiness Directive itself but are typically substantial under aviation safety regulations. Non-compliance can also result in the grounding of the aircraft, which could lead to operational disruptions and financial losses. Furthermore, failure to adhere to these safety directives can result in civil or criminal liability if an incident occurs due to the non-compliance, potentially leading to more severe penalties and legal actions.