Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, address the safety concerns associated with certain components of Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series aeroplanes through Airworthiness Directives. The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced these directives to ensure that any identified faulty components, such as the landing gear emergency hand pump, are replaced to maintain the safety and reliability of these aircraft. One such directive, AD/BEECH 90/96, mandates the replacement of any landing gear emergency hand pump, part number 101-388007-3, with a serial number in the specified range, due to manufacturing defects that could compromise emergency operations. Compliance with this directive is required within 25 hours of the directive's effective date, underscoring the urgency and importance of addressing these safety issues to prevent potential hazards during flight operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, mandates the application of Airworthiness Directives concerning the Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) series aeroplanes, as outlined in AD/BEECH 90/96. This directive applies to all Raytheon (Beechcraft) C90A model aeroplanes, irrespective of their serial number, requiring the replacement of any landing gear emergency hand pump, part number 101-388007-3, with a serial number in the range 2702 through 2833. The directive is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and has a jurisdictional reach across the Commonwealth of Australia. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with the requirement to replace the specified components within 25 hours' time in service from the effective date of the directive, which was 27 September 1999. Non-compliance may result in the aircraft being grounded until the directive is fulfilled. The directive is aligned with the United States Federal Aviation Administration's AD 99-18-15 Amdt 39-11281 dated 23 August 1999, ensuring international standards are met. This directive is a critical safety measure to prevent operational failures in emergency situations due to the identified defective components.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain an airworthiness directive (AD/BEECH 90/96) that applies to all Raytheon (Beechcraft) C90A model aeroplanes. This directive mandates the replacement of any landing gear emergency hand pump, part number 101-388007-3, with a serial number in the range 2702 through 2833. The directive requires that defective components be returned to the manufacturer for warranty action. Compliance with the directive can be demonstrated if the aircraft maintenance records clearly indicate that the serial number of the emergency hand pump fitted falls outside the range of affected components. This directive references US FAA AD 99-18-15 Amdt 39-11281 dated 23 August 1999. The obligations under this directive require aircraft owners and operators to ensure that any affected emergency hand pumps are replaced within 25 hours’ time in service from the effective date of the directive, which is 27 September 1999. This includes verifying the serial number of the installed hand pump against the specified range, and if necessary, replacing it with a compliant part. Operators must also ensure that the defective components are returned to the manufacturer for warranty action, as stipulated. Additionally, maintenance records must be updated to reflect any changes made in compliance with the directive. Failure to comply with this airworthiness directive can lead to serious consequences. Non-compliance may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could prevent it from being operated until the required modifications are made. The directive itself does not specify a particular penalty, but any resultant non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions might include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory penalties as prescribed by the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The precise penalties would depend on the extent of the non-compliance and any subsequent investigations or legal proceedings.