AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 90/98 KA-33 Cooling Blower 8/2001
Applicability: Beech Model C90A aeroplanes with the following configurations:
Configuration Aeroplane Serial Number
Collins EFIS-84 System LJ-1306, LJ-1316, LJ-1318, LJ-1320
through LJ-1334 inclusive and LJ-1340 through LJ-1592 inclusive
Non EFIS-84 System Installation equipped with factory installed KLN-88 LORAN
LJ-1278, LJ-1288, LJ-1293, LJ-1299, LJ- 1314 and LJ-1315
Requirement: Install an in-line fuse holder, part number (P/N) HHJ-A, and install a one ampere slow-blow fuse, P/N MDL1, in the fuse holder, in accordance with either Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 34-3269, issued January 2000 or Revision 1, revised October 2000.
Note: FAA AD 2001-11-03 Amdt 39-12244 refers.
Compliance: Within the next 600 hours’ time-in-service after the effective date of this Directive or the next six calendar months after the effective date of this Directive, whichever occurs first.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 9 August 2001.
Background: The United States Federal Aviation Administration has received several reports of blower motors failing, seizing, smoking, and producing a burning odour that enters the cabin and passenger compartment. These events are the result of the blower motor having circuit protection of more than one ampere. This level of circuit protection does not prevent the blower motor from smoking and creating a burning odour should it fail or seize.
Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 90/98 (Continued)
This Directive introduces measures intended to protect the blower motor circuit and reduce the possibility of emission of smoke or a burning odour into the cockpit or passenger compartment.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 29 June 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 11 July 2001.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BEECH 90/98, issued in 2001, was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address a safety issue identified in certain Beechcraft 90 and 65-90 (King Air) Series Aeroplanes. This AD was introduced in response to reports of blower motor failures, seizing, smoking, and the production of burning odours in the cabin and passenger compartment, which were attributed to insufficient circuit protection in the blower motor. The directive aims to mitigate the risk of such occurrences by mandating the installation of an in-line fuse holder with a one-ampere slow-blow fuse, ensuring that the blower motor circuit is adequately protected. This measure is intended to prevent the blower motor from smoking and emitting a burning odour in the event of a failure or seizure, thereby enhancing the safety and comfort of passengers and crew.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to Beech Model C90A aeroplanes that have either a Collins EFIS-84 System or are equipped with a factory-installed KLN-88 LORAN in certain serial number ranges. This directive aims to address the unsafe condition of blower motors that have experienced failures, leading to smoking and burning odours entering the cabin and passenger compartment due to insufficient circuit protection. The requirement outlined in the directive mandates the installation of an in-line fuse holder and a specific fuse to mitigate these risks. The directive applies across the Commonwealth of Australia and is effective as of 9 August 2001, with compliance expected within the next 600 hours’ time-in-service or six calendar months from the effective date, whichever is sooner. This AD does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, and its application is enforced through the CASA's regulatory authority under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BEECH 90/98 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to Beech Model C90A aeroplanes with certain configurations (section 1). The AD mandates the installation of an in-line fuse holder, part number HHJ-A, along with a one ampere slow-blow fuse, part number MDL1, in accordance with the instructions set out in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 34-3269 or its revised version from October 2000 (section 2). This requirement must be fulfilled within 600 hours’ time-in-service or within the next six calendar months from the effective date of the Directive, whichever comes first (section 3). The AD was issued to address reports of blower motor failures, which resulted in smoking, seizing, and the production of burning odours within the cabin and passenger compartment, a consequence of inadequate circuit protection (section 4).
The AD imposes specific obligations on the owners or operators of the affected Beech Model C90A aeroplanes. They must ensure that the installation of the in-line fuse holder and the one ampere slow-blow fuse is carried out correctly as per the instructions provided in the referenced service bulletins. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aeroplanes not meeting the necessary airworthiness standards, potentially leading to safety risks. The directive’s applicability extends to aeroplanes with specific serial numbers and configurations, necessitating a detailed review of each aeroplane’s specifications to determine whether it falls under the AD’s requirements.
The AD does not explicitly outline penalties or legal consequences for non-compliance. However, non-compliance with airworthiness directives is generally considered a breach of aviation safety regulations, which can lead to enforcement actions by CASA. Such actions may include grounding the aeroplane until the required modifications are made, fines, and potentially criminal charges if the non-compliance results in safety incidents. The severity of the penalties can vary depending on the circumstances and the extent of non-compliance. It is crucial for operators to adhere to the AD to avoid any legal or safety repercussions.