Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 95/32 in January 2002 to address an unsafe condition identified in certain Beechcraft 95 (Travelair) Series Aeroplanes. This directive was enacted under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, responding to reports of flap flex shaft separations which had caused flap asymmetry. These separations were linked to improper heat treatment in the manufacture of the flex shafts, specifically those produced between January 2000 and April 2001. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft by mandating the inspection and replacement of certain components, thereby mitigating the risk of further incidents. The directive requires operators to review their aircraft records, inspect and potentially replace affected parts, and ensure compliance within specified timeframes to maintain safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 pertains specifically to Beechcraft 95 (Travelair) Series Aeroplanes, including all serial numbers of the B95, B95A, D95A, and E95 models. This directive applies to aircraft whose left-hand or right-hand flap flex shaft, or flap actuator, has been replaced since 1 March 2000. If these components have not been replaced since that date, no further action is required beyond making a certification in the aircraft log book. However, if a replacement has occurred, the directive mandates an inspection of the identification label for the manufacture date of the flap flex shaft assemblies according to Raytheon Service Bulletin 27-3478, with a requirement to replace any flex shafts manufactured between January 2000 and April 2001. The directive requires compliance within 25 flight hours from its effective date of 30 January 2002, and before any further flight if a replacement is necessary. This AD is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring that the specified safety measures are implemented to mitigate the risk of flap flex shaft separations due to improper heat treatment.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BEECH 95/32 pertains to the Beechcraft 95 (Travelair) Series Aeroplanes, including models B95, B95A, D95A, and E95, of all serial numbers. The main operative sections of this directive include the applicability, requirement, and compliance sections. The applicability section specifies that the AD applies to all Beechcraft 95 Series aeroplanes. The requirement section outlines the specific actions that must be taken if certain conditions are met, such as reviewing aircraft records to determine if the left-hand (LH) or right-hand (RH) flap flex shaft, or the flap actuator, has been replaced since 1 March 2000. If these components have not been replaced, no further action is required; otherwise, the identification label for the manufacture date of the flex shaft assemblies must be inspected, and flex shafts manufactured between January 2000 and April 2001 must be replaced. The compliance section stipulates that these actions must be completed within 25 flight hours from the effective date of the AD, with flex shaft replacements needing to be done before further flight. The AD imposes several obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Firstly, it requires aircraft owners and operators to review their aircraft records to determine if any of the specified components have been replaced since the specified date. If the components have been replaced, further inspection and potential replacement must be conducted in accordance with the instructions provided. Additionally, the AD mandates that any necessary inspections and replacements be completed within specific timeframes, ensuring that the aircraft remains airworthy and compliant with safety regulations. Furthermore, operators must maintain accurate records of the actions taken and certifications made in accordance with the AD. There are potential civil and criminal consequences for non-compliance with the AD. Failure to adhere to the requirements outlined in the AD may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy. This could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), including fines, sanctions, or other regulatory measures. Additionally, if non-compliance with the AD results in an unsafe condition that leads to an accident or incident, those responsible could face criminal charges, including potential imprisonment. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the AD itself but would be in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations governing aviation safety in Australia.