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 90/88 Cabin Door 13/92
Applicability: Model 90 and 65-90 series.
Requirement: 1. Carry out a detail visual inspection of the cabin door locking mechanism after removing all the cover trim panelling. Inspect for condition ie. security of attachment, cracking, corrosion, and wear etc.
2. Inspect the cabin door alignment with the door cut-out outer skin surface around the upper portion of the cut-out with the door in the closed position, but not locked. The door should not be required to be loaded at the top to allow lock/latch engagement.
3. Report any required rectification to a CAA District Airworthiness Office for forwarding to the Manager, Structures Section, Canberra, or direct by fax no.06 268 4594.
Compliance: At the next scheduled inspection for maintenance release issue after 10 December 1992.
Background: This Directive is prompted by the recent loss of a cabin door during flight. An investigation of this event has revealed that the upper locking bolts and latches may not have been in the fully locked position, even though the inside handle was in the closed position. Following the inspection of the door mechanism of similar aircraft, it is considered that an internal disconnect may have occurred. The actions specified in this Directive are intended to insure the serviceability of the door locking mechanism and the safety of the aircraft.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, address the safety concerns associated with the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes through Airworthiness Directives. Enacted by the Australian Government, these regulations were introduced to mitigate the risk of cabin door loss during flight, a problem that was highlighted by an investigation into a recent incident. The policy objective of these regulations is to ensure the airworthiness and safety of aircraft by mandating detailed inspections and reporting of any necessary rectifications. This legislative instrument requires that the cabin door locking mechanism and alignment of these aircraft be inspected and reported to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for review and action, ensuring compliance by the next scheduled maintenance inspection.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, issues Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. The particular AD/BEECH 90/88 applies to Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 series aeroplanes, requiring operators to conduct a detailed visual inspection of the cabin door locking mechanism to ensure its security and condition. This involves removing cover trim panels to check for issues such as attachment security, cracking, corrosion, and wear. Furthermore, the directive mandates inspecting the cabin door alignment with the door cut-out outer skin surface when the door is closed but not locked, ensuring it does not require loading at the top to engage the lock/latch. Any required rectifications must be reported to a CASA District Airworthiness Office, which forwards the information to the Manager, Structures Section, Canberra. Compliance with these directives is mandatory, with the next scheduled inspection for maintenance release to be carried out after 10 December 1992, following an incident where a cabin door was lost during flight due to potential issues with the locking mechanism.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which include detailed instructions for maintaining the safety of certain aircraft. For the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes, one such directive is AD/BEECH 90/88, which pertains to the cabin door. Section 1 of this directive mandates that operators must perform a detailed visual inspection of the cabin door locking mechanism (Section 1(1)). This inspection involves removing the cover trim panelling and checking for any signs of security issues, cracking, corrosion, and wear (Section 1(1)(a)). Additionally, the cabin door must be inspected to ensure it aligns correctly with the door cut-out outer skin surface when in the closed position, without requiring additional loading at the top for lock/latch engagement (Section 1(2)).
Operators of the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 series aeroplanes must adhere to these inspection requirements and report any necessary rectifications to a CASA District Airworthiness Office. These reports should be forwarded to the Manager, Structures Section, in Canberra, or submitted directly via fax to the specified number (Section 2). Compliance with this directive is required at the next scheduled inspection for maintenance release issue after 10 December 1992 (Section 3). The directive's background highlights the importance of these inspections, as they were prompted by the loss of a cabin door during flight, which was found to be due to potential issues with the locking mechanism and latches (Section 4).
Failure to comply with the provisions of this airworthiness directive may result in significant consequences. Firstly, the aircraft may not meet the required safety standards, potentially leading to operational restrictions or grounding. Additionally, CASA may impose penalties or sanctions on the operators for non-compliance. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the directive, they could include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory actions. It is imperative for operators to strictly adhere to these requirements to ensure the safety of their aircraft and compliance with aviation regulations.