COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Beechcraft 99 Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 99/7 Pilot and Co-Pilot Chair Locking Mechanism 7/97
Applicability: Models 99, 99A, A99A, B99, and C99 Airliner with serial numbers U-1 through U-239.
Requirement: a. Inspect the pilot and co-pilot chairs to assure that the locking pins will fully engage in the seat tracks, in accordance with the “Accomplishment Instructions” section of Beech Service Bulletin 2444 Revision II.
b. Modify any chair where the locking pin fails to fully engage or is misaligned, in accordance with the maintenance manual as specified in Beech Service Bulletin 2444, Revision II.
Note: FAA AD 97-06-06 Amdt 39-9963 refers.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, within 150 hours’ time in service after 19 June 1997.
This airworthiness directive becomes effective on 19 June 1997.
Background: The FAA received reports of pilot and co-pilot chair locking pin malfunctions, which in one instance caused the pilot chair to slide back from the full forward position.
The FAA AD requires the inspection to be accomplished in accordance with revised service information, as reflected in Revision II of the requirement document.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), specifically Part 39 - 105, introduced the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives to address the critical issue of airworthiness in aviation. This legislative instrument aims to ensure that all aircraft within the Australian airspace meet stringent safety standards, thereby mitigating risks associated with aviation accidents. The Act was enacted by the Parliament of Australia and seeks to ensure the safety of passengers and crew by mandating regular inspections and maintenance of critical aircraft components. One such directive, AD/BEECH 99/7, targets Beechcraft 99 Series Aeroplanes, requiring the inspection and modification of the pilot and co-pilot chair locking mechanisms to prevent potential malfunctions that could compromise flight safety. The directive became effective on 19 June 1997, following reports of locking pin issues that could lead to chairs sliding back from their full forward positions, thereby emphasising the importance of stringent regulatory oversight in aviation safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompasses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which applies to the aviation industry in Australia. The directive AD/BEECH 99/7 pertains to Beechcraft 99 series aeroplanes, namely models 99, 99A, A99A, B99, and C99 Airliner with serial numbers U-1 through U-239. This legislative instrument mandates the inspection and potential modification of the pilot and co-pilot chair locking mechanisms to ensure safety, referencing the “Accomplishment Instructions” section of Beech Service Bulletin 2444 Revision II. Compliance with this directive is necessary within 150 hours’ time in service after its effective date of 19 June 1997. The directive’s objective is to rectify any issues identified with the locking mechanisms to prevent incidents such as the chair sliding back from the full forward position, which was reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39-105, contain provisions related to the airworthiness directives for the Beechcraft 99 Series Aeroplanes. Section AD/BEECH 99/7 addresses the requirement for inspecting and modifying the pilot and co-pilot chair locking mechanisms on specific models and serial numbers of Beechcraft 99 Series aeroplanes. These models include 99, 99A, A99A, B99, and C99 Airliner with serial numbers U-1 through U-239. The directive mandates that these inspections and modifications must be carried out to ensure that the locking pins fully engage in the seat tracks, as specified in the “Accomplishment Instructions” section of Beech Service Bulletin 2444 Revision II. If the locking pins are not fully engaging or are misaligned, the directive requires that the chair be modified in accordance with the maintenance manual specified in Beech Service Bulletin 2444 Revision II.
The obligations imposed by this directive include ensuring that the aircraft operator conducts the required inspection and any necessary modifications within 150 hours of the aeroplane being in service after 19 June 1997. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aeroplane not meeting airworthiness standards, which could lead to operational restrictions or grounding of the aircraft. The directive became effective on 19 June 1997, and all applicable aircraft must adhere to these requirements to maintain compliance with civil aviation safety standards.
The directive references FAA AD 97-06-06 Amendment 39-9963, indicating a collaborative effort between the FAA and CASA to address safety concerns related to the chair locking mechanisms. This cross-reference highlights the importance of adhering to international safety standards to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. The background provided in the directive explains that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received reports of chair locking pin malfunctions, which in one instance resulted in the pilot chair sliding back from the full forward position. This incident underscores the critical need for the mandated inspections and modifications to prevent similar occurrences.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in AD/BEECH 99/7 may result in civil or criminal consequences. Under Australian law, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This may include fines, operational restrictions, or even the prohibition of the aeroplane from flying until the required inspections and modifications are completed. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the directive but can be significant, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance on aviation safety.