AD/BEECH 90/89 Amdt 1 - Pilot and Co-Pilot Chair Locking Mechanism

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to ensure the safety and integrity of civil aviation within the country. This particular legislative instrument, F2006B04271, pertains to Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations and establishes airworthiness directives for specific aircraft models. One such directive, AD/BEECH 90/89 Amendment 1, focuses on the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes, addressing issues with the pilot and co-pilot chair locking mechanisms. This directive was introduced to rectify the problem of locking pin malfunctions that had been reported, including incidents where the pilot chair had slid back from its full forward position. The objective of this amendment, which became effective on 19 June 1997, is to ensure that these aircraft meet the required safety standards by inspecting and modifying the chair locking mechanisms as specified in the relevant service bulletins.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompasses airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This particular directive, AD/BEECH 90/89 Amendment 1, applies to Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers 65-90, 65-A90, B90, C90, C90A, E90, and F90, along with LJ-1 through LJ-1307, LW-1 through LW-347, and LA-2 through LA-236. The regulation mandates an inspection of the pilot and co-pilot chair locking mechanisms to ensure the locking pins fully engage in the seat tracks, as outlined in Beech Service Bulletin 2444 Revision II, and any necessary modifications to chairs with malfunctioning locking pins. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory unless the inspection and modifications have already been performed, with the directive becoming effective 150 hours’ time in service after 19 June 1997. This directive was prompted by reports of locking pin malfunctions, which necessitated a revision to the service information and an amendment to the original airworthiness directive that became effective on 1 April 1993.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically AD/BEECH 90/89 Amendment 1, concern the inspection and modification of the pilot and co-pilot chair locking mechanisms in Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes. Section (a) requires that the chairs are inspected to ensure the locking pins fully engage in the seat tracks, in accordance with the "Accomplishment Instructions" section of Beech Service Bulletin 2444 Revision II. Section (b) mandates that any chair with locking pin issues must be modified according to the maintenance manual as specified in the same service bulletin. The directive applies to specific models and serial numbers of the aircraft, as detailed in the document. The Act imposes obligations on the operators of these aircraft to conduct these inspections and modifications within a specified timeframe. Operators must ensure that the locking pins are functioning correctly to prevent the chairs from sliding back unexpectedly, which could pose safety risks during flight. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory, and failure to adhere to the stipulated timeframes and procedures can lead to safety issues and potential regulatory action. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive may result in severe consequences. Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 could lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, including fines and other penalties. The potential for civil or criminal liability arises if non-compliance leads to an aviation accident or incident, where the operator could face significant financial penalties and reputational damage. The directive explicitly states that unless the required actions are completed within 150 hours’ time in service after 19 June 1997, the aircraft may not be deemed airworthy, potentially leading to grounding of the aircraft until the necessary modifications are made.