COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES Beechcraft 1900 Series Aeroplanes AD/BEECH 1900/14 Pilot's and Co-Pilot's Windshields 10/96 TX Applicability: Model 1900D aeroplanes serial numbers UE-1 through UE-239 inclusive with either windshield part number (P/N) 114-384020-1 or 114-384020-2 fitted. Requirement: 1. Identify whether windshield P/N 114-384020-1 or 114-384020-2 is fitted, noting that the pilot's windshield and co-pilot's windshield may not have the same windshield configuration. 2. Pull and band the circuit breakers leading to the windshield heat control on the pilot or co-pilot sides where windshield P/N 114-384020-1 or 114-384020-2 is fitted. The affected circuit breakers are the LEFT WSHLD, CONTROL and PWR circuit breakers located on the circuit breaker panel on the co-pilot's side (Zone 246) and the CO-PILOT WSHLD ANTI-ICE circuit breaker located on the aft side of the forward pressure bulkhead above the copilot left rudder pedal (Zone 222). 3. Fabricate a placard with the following words in letters at least 2.5 mm (0.10 inches) in height and install the placard within clear view of the pilot on the instrument panel: FLIGHT IN KNOWN ICING CONDITIONS IS PROHIBITED Note: FAA Priority Letter AD 96-15-01 Docket 96-CE-41-AD refers. Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Before further flight after 21 July 1996. For Requirement 2 and 3 - Immediately following Requirement 1, if either windshield P/N 114-384020-1 or 114-384020-2 is found to be fitted. Background: The FAA has received reports of smoke and fire in the cockpit of two Beech Model 1900D aeroplanes. The reports indicate that a high resistance short circuit situation was created by the braid wire that is attached to the low heat power terminal block mounted on the pilot and co-pilot windshields. This caused arcing and generated sufficient amounts of heat, resulting in fire and smoke in the cockpit. The action required by this Directive is only interim, until a final action is identified, and is designed to decrease the likelihood of smoke and fire occurring around the forward edge of the cockpit glare shield. Federal Register of Legislative Instruments F2006B03632