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 90/91 Pressurisation Control System
Pneumatic Tubing Inspection
2/98
Applicability: All Beech 90 series aircraft with serial numbers LJ-683 through LJ-1463, LW-177 through LW-347, LA-1 through LA-236 and LL-1 through LL-61.
Requirement: Inspect and re-route the environmental air conditioning and pressurisation control system pneumatic tubing in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory SB 2676 dated January, 1997.
Note: FAA AD 97-23-17 Amdt 39-10207 and DGAC AD 97-353-(AB) refers.
Compliance: Unless previously carried out at the next schedule inspection but no later than the next 200 hours’ time in service from the effective date of this Directive.
This airworthiness directive becomes effective on 29 January 1998.
Background: This directive being raised on receipt of FAA AD and advice that when a pilot requested a passenger to open the cabin door a passenger was injured when ejected from the aircraft onto the tarmac.
Subsequent investigation by the manufacturer confirmed that heat from the co pilot’s foot warmer outlet and associated plumbing can soften the plastic pressurisation control system pneumatic tubing sufficiently to cause permanent collapse when the line is subject to vacuum. This will result in loss of vacuum to the outflow/safety valves and this could prevent depressurisation of the aircraft. If the cabin door is operated with the aircraft partially pressurised injury to passengers and/or ground personnel may occur.
The de-icing indicator pneumatic tubing also has the potential for heat damage from the co-pilot’s foot warmer. This tubing could rupture rendering the de-icing indicator inoperative.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by AD/BEECH 90/91, was enacted to address safety concerns related to the pressurisation control system pneumatic tubing in Beechcraft 90 series aircraft. This legislative instrument was introduced to mitigate the risk of injury to passengers and ground personnel, stemming from the potential for tubing collapse due to heat exposure from the co-pilot’s foot warmer outlet. The directive mandates inspection and re-routing of the pneumatic tubing in compliance with Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory SB 2676 dated January 1997, ensuring the integrity of the environmental air conditioning and pressurisation control system. This measure aims to prevent incidents where passengers could be injured if the cabin door is opened while the aircraft is partially pressurised, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety. The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and became effective on 29 January 1998.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, are applicable to all Beech 90 series aircraft with specific serial numbers, mandating a rigorous inspection and re-routing of the environmental air conditioning and pressurisation control system pneumatic tubing. This requirement is in direct response to a serious incident where a passenger was injured due to the collapse of the pneumatic tubing, caused by heat from the co-pilot’s foot warmer. The regulation enforces compliance with Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory SB 2676 dated January 1997, ensuring that the inspection must occur at the next scheduled inspection but no later than 200 hours’ time in service from the effective date of this directive, which is 29 January 1998. This directive extends the application of the Federal Aviation Administration's AD 97-23-17 Amendment 39-10207 and the Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile AD 97-353-(AB), thereby harmonising safety standards across different jurisdictions. The regulation applies nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring all specified aircraft meet these stringent safety requirements to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the airworthiness of certain Beechcraft 90 series aeroplanes, namely those with serial numbers LJ-683 through LJ-1463, LW-177 through LW-347, LA-1 through LA-236, and LL-1 through LL-61 (AD/BEECH 90/91). This legislation mandates an inspection and re-routing of the environmental air conditioning and pressurisation control system pneumatic tubing in compliance with Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 2676 dated January 1997. The directive was issued following an incident where a passenger was injured after being ejected from an aircraft when a cabin door was opened while the aircraft was still partially pressurised.
This directive imposes several obligations on the operators of the affected Beechcraft 90 series aeroplanes. Firstly, they are required to inspect the pneumatic tubing as per the specifications outlined in the referenced service bulletin. This involves a thorough examination of the tubing for any signs of heat damage, which could potentially be caused by the co-pilot's foot warmer outlet and associated plumbing. Secondly, if any damage is detected, the pneumatic tubing must be re-routed to prevent further risk of failure. The inspection and re-routing must be completed by the next scheduled inspection, but no later than 200 hours of flight time from the effective date of this directive, which is 29 January 1998.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive could result in significant consequences. The primary concern is the risk of injury to passengers and ground personnel if the pneumatic tubing fails, leading to a loss of vacuum and the inability to depressurise the aircraft cabin properly. Such a failure could also render the de-icing indicator inoperative, further compromising flight safety. While the regulations do not explicitly state specific civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance, the potential for accidents and injuries underscores the importance of adhering to the directive to ensure the continued safety of all involved in aviation operations.