AD/BEECH 90/87 - Engine Mount Assembly Attachment Bolts

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through the legislative instrument F2006B04269, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This specific part, addressing Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes, targets a known issue with engine mount assembly attachment bolts, particularly those manufactured by Dumont Aviation, to mitigate potential safety risks. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, operating under the authority of the Australian Parliament, introduced this regulation to address the identified problem of improperly heat-treated bolts, which could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft and thus passenger safety. The policy objective is to enforce a mandatory inspection and, if necessary, replacement of specific bolts to ensure compliance with safety standards. The legislative instrument mandates a thorough inspection of the engine truss-to-firewall bolts, requiring their removal and identification to determine their compliance with specified standards. Any bolts manufactured by Dumont Aviation must be replaced with a new part number MS20006-20 /M/ to ensure adherence to safety directives. This directive is crucial for maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft, aligning with international standards and ensuring the safety of air travel.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes. The directive AD/BEECH 90/87 targets the engine mount assembly attachment bolts of the specified models and serial numbers as outlined in Beech SB 2432. This requirement is mandatory for all aircraft within the designated series and serial numbers, mandating that individual engine truss-to-firewall bolts must be inspected to ascertain whether they are manufactured by Dumont Aviation as specified by Figure 2 of, and in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Beech SB 2432. Compliance with the directive is essential, with the requirement that any identified bolts must be replaced with a new bolt part number MS20006-20 /M/. The directive mandates that this replacement must occur within 150 hours’ time in service after 17 September 1992, and prior to any further flight. This regulation ensures the safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft by addressing potential issues related to improperly heat-treated bolts.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly under Part 39, establish stringent requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft. Section 39-105, which deals with airworthiness directives for specific aircraft types, mandates that owners and operators of Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes adhere to the directive AD/BEECH 90/87. This directive concerns the inspection and potential replacement of engine mount assembly attachment bolts. According to the directive, each bolt must be individually examined to ascertain its manufacturer and compliance with specific standards outlined in Beech SB 2432. Under section AD/BEECH 90/87, the directive requires a detailed inspection process, where each engine truss-to-firewall bolt must be removed one at a time. The inspection must determine if any bolts were manufactured by Dumont Aviation as specified in Figure 2 and paragraphs 1 and 2 of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Beech SB 2432. If any bolts are found to be manufactured by Dumont Aviation, they must be replaced with a new bolt part number MS20006-20 /M/. This process is crucial to ensure that all bolts meet the necessary safety standards. Operators of the affected Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 aircraft must comply with the directive within 150 hours of time in service after 17 September 1992. Furthermore, the compliance must be achieved before any further flight. This requirement ensures that all inspections and necessary replacements are completed in a timely manner to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the directive AD/BEECH 90/87 can lead to serious consequences. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives is an offence under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The penalties for such offences can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The exact penalties can vary, but they are designed to ensure strict adherence to safety regulations to protect the public and maintain the integrity of civil aviation operations.