Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) were enacted to regulate the operation of aircraft in Australian airspace, ensuring safety and compliance with international standards. Among these regulations, Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, addresses specific maintenance and inspection requirements for various aircraft, including the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes. This part was introduced to address specific safety concerns identified in certain aircraft models, such as potential issues with the horizontal stabiliser forward spar web rivets in the Beechcraft King Air series, as outlined in AD/BEECH 90/62. The objective is to mitigate risks by requiring regular inspections to prevent the development of looseness in the specified rivets, thereby maintaining the airworthiness of these aircraft. The Australian Government, through the Parliament, enacted these regulations under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth) to ensure that all civil aircraft operating within Australian airspace adhere to stringent safety standards. The policy objective is to proactively manage and address potential safety issues through regular inspections and maintenance as specified in the airworthiness directives, thereby protecting the public and enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, govern the airworthiness directives for certain aircraft, including the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes. This legislation mandates inspections of the horizontal stabiliser forward spar web rivets for all model F90 aeroplanes with serial numbers LA-2 to LA-101. The directive applies to aircraft that have either already achieved or are approaching 2000 hours of service time. For aeroplanes that have surpassed 2000 hours of service, inspections must occur within 100 hours after 31 October 1981 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of service time. Conversely, for aeroplanes that have not yet reached 2000 hours of service, inspections must be conducted before they reach this milestone and then at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of service time. The directive is aimed at ensuring that any potential looseness in the specified rivets, which could develop during normal service, is identified and addressed to maintain the aircraft's airworthiness. This regulation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, affecting all operators of the specified aircraft within its jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105 (sections referenced as 39-105), specifically address airworthiness directives for Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes. These regulations mandate specific inspections of the horizontal stabiliser forward spar web rivets to ensure safety. Section 39-105(1) specifies that for aeroplanes that have accrued 2000 hours of time in service, an inspection must be conducted within 100 hours of time in service following 31 October 1981, and subsequently, at intervals not exceeding 500 hours. For aeroplanes that have not yet achieved 2000 hours of service time, inspections must be conducted before reaching this threshold and then at intervals not exceeding 500 hours. These inspections are intended to detect and prevent potential looseness in the horizontal stabiliser forward spar web rivets, which could develop during normal service. The obligations under this legislation require operators and owners of affected Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 series aeroplanes to ensure compliance with the specified inspection intervals. Operators must keep accurate records of flight hours and inspection dates to demonstrate adherence to the regulatory requirements. Additionally, mechanics and inspectors must be appropriately qualified and trained to conduct the inspections in accordance with the detailed procedures outlined in Beechcraft SI No. 1192.10/81. This document provides the technical specifications and guidance necessary to perform the inspections effectively. Failure to comply with the inspection requirements outlined in sections 39-105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in significant legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Act 1988 imposes penalties for non-compliance, including fines and potential prosecution. In more severe cases, continued operation of an aircraft without the required inspections could lead to the suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, resulting in the aircraft being grounded. Additionally, any incidents or accidents arising from non-compliance could lead to further civil or criminal liability for the operators and responsible parties involved.