AD/BEECH 200/71 - Fuselage Rear Pressure Bulkhead - Scoring Damage (Cth)

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 CASR 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 200 (Super King Air) Series Aeroplanes

AD/BEECH 200/71 Fuselage Rear Pressure Bulkhead - Scoring Damage

4/2004

Applicability: Beechcraft 200 (Super King Air) series aeroplanes (Including models 200, B200, 200C, B200C, 200T, B200T) with a serial number as listed in Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin 53-3513 Rev 1, page 1 and any aircraft not listed in that document that has had any post production removal and installation of insulation material in the Rear Pressure Bulkhead area.

Requirement: Perform the inspection (for score marks) and repair (if repair required) of the forward side of the aft pressure bulkhead, in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 53-3513 Rev 1.

Note: FAA AD 2003-13-16 Amdt 39-13218 refers, with a revised effective date of 11 Feb 2004.

Compliance: Inspect (once only) no later than 6 calendar months from 11 February 2004.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 15 April 2004.

Background: During maintenance, severe scoring and cracking of the rear pressure bulkhead was found on an Australian registered aircraft. The scoring was caused during trimming of the insulation material which covers the forward side of the rear pressure bulkhead. In this instance, a fatigue crack developed and the bulkhead failed. On another aircraft, severe scoring was found which had not yet progressed to cracking and bulkhead failure. Raytheon subsequently released an inspection bulletin 53-3513 Rev 1, to check for scoring which was later mandated by FAA AD 2003-13-16.