AD/BEECH 90/64 - Nose Compartment Door Latching - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, establish a schedule of airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. One such directive, AD/BEECH 90/64, addresses the modification of nose compartment door latching for Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument was enacted to address a safety concern identified by the manufacturer regarding the nose baggage locker door latching system. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, through this directive, mandates the installation of a secondary latch as a safety measure, applicable to all models C90 and E90 with serial numbers specified in Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 1171 or subsequent revisions, to ensure compliance before 1 March 1982. The policy objective is to enhance the safety of aircraft operations by mitigating risks associated with the nose compartment door latching mechanism.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all models C90 and E90 of the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes, with serial numbers referenced in Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 1171 or in subsequent revisions of that document. This regulation mandates a modification to the nose compartment door latching system to enhance safety, and compliance with this directive is required before 1 March 1982. The regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and have a national jurisdictional reach, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia. There are no exclusions or exemptions specified in this directive, meaning all qualifying aircraft must adhere to the prescribed modifications to ensure compliance with safety standards. The scope of the legislation is enforced through the issuance of Airworthiness Directives, and compliance is verified through subordinate instruments such as service instructions from the aircraft manufacturer.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate the installation of a secondary latch for the nose baggage locker door in all Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series aeroplanes. This modification, as outlined in AD/BEECH 90/64 No. 1/82, is applicable to all models C90 and E90 with serial numbers referenced in Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 1171 or any subsequent issues or revisions of that Service Instruction (Sections 39 - 105). The modification is considered mandatory, and compliance must be achieved before 1 March 1982 as per the manufacturer’s guidelines in the referenced service instruction. The obligations imposed by this legislation on the parties or entities it governs include ensuring that the secondary latch modification is installed in accordance with the specifications provided in Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 1171. This involves the verification of the aeroplane's serial number to determine applicability and the timely execution of the modification to meet the stipulated compliance date. Operators of the affected aircraft must also maintain records demonstrating that the modification has been completed as required by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The Act imposes significant consequences for non-compliance with the mandated modifications. Failure to adhere to the requirements outlined in AD/BEECH 90/64 No. 1/82 may result in severe civil or criminal penalties. The specific offences and penalties are not detailed within the provided excerpt; however, generally, under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to substantial fines and potential criminal charges. The maximum penalties can include fines of up to $1.1 million for corporations and $220,000 for individuals, alongside the possibility of imprisonment. The seriousness of these penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the legislated modifications to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft in question.