{"id":"F2006B03634","name":"AD/BEECH 1900/16 Amdt 1 - Exterior Operating Instruction Placards for External Doors","slug":"ad-beech-1900-16-amdt-1-exterior-operating-instruction-placards-for-external-doors","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":43224,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B03634-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/BEECH 1900/16 Amdt 1 - Exterior Operating Instruction Placards for External Doors","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nBeechcraft 1900 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/BEECH 1900/16\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \n\nExterior Operating Instruction Placards for External Doors\n\n  \n1/99\n\nApplicability: Model Serial Numbers\n\n1900 UA-2 and UA-3\n\n1900C UB-1 through UB-74, and UC-1 through UC-174 1900C (C-12J) UD-1 through UD-6\n\n1900D UE-1 through UE-268\n\nRequirement: Accomplish one of the following in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions section of Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 2741, Revision 1, Issued February 1997; Revised May 1997:\n\n    Modify the existing exterior placards with operating instructions installed in accordance with the original issue of this Directive; or,\n\n    b. Remove any existing operating placards and install new exterior placards with operating instructions for the airstair door, cargo door, and emergency exits, as applicable.\n\nInstalling placards in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft MSB 2741, dated February 1997, and then modifying these placards in accordance with Beechcraft message 52- 0506, dated February 21, 1997, is an alternative method of compliance to the requirements of this Directive.\n\nNote: FAA AD 98-21-20 Amdt 39-10829 refers.\n\nCompliance: Unless already accomplished, within 200 hours time in service after 28 January 1999.\n\nThis Amendment becomes effective on 28 January 1999.\n\nBackground: This Directive results from an accident involving a ground collision with another aircraft in which both aircraft were destroyed by fire. Although the occupants of the model 1900C survived the impact, the emergency crew were unable to open the airstair door and all occupants died of smoke inhalation. Investigation revealed that the external instructions for opening the door were either not clearly visible or not easily understandable.\n\nAmendment 1 is issued in response to a new FAA AD which was prompted by reports of the previously installed placards covering the atmospheric vents for the cabin door differential pressure lock.\n\nThe original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 12 March 1997.\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This amendment remains tightly focused on its original purpose: ensuring exterior door operating instructions are visible and functional. Amendment 1 addresses a specific technical issue (placards blocking pressure vents) discovered after the original 1997 directive, without expanding beyond door placard requirements."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific technical requirement with only two alternative compliance methods","Limited applicability to specific aircraft serial numbers (4 model variants with defined ranges)","One cross-reference to FAA AD 98-21-20 and manufacturer service bulletins","Clear compliance deadline (200 hours time in service after 28 January 1999)","No nested exceptions or conditional logic beyond the two alternative methods of compliance","Brief document (approximately 300 words) with straightforward structure"],"plain_english_summary":"This rule requires owners/operators of certain Beechcraft 1900 series aircraft to update or replace exterior door and emergency-exit instruction signs so outside responders can clearly see and operate them. It corrects signs that previously blocked vents needed for door unlocking after a fatal accident. Compliance follows Raytheon Service Bulletin 2741 and was required by a 1999 deadline."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This amendment does not materially expand the scope beyond the original purpose. The original AD required exterior operating instruction placards to be installed or modified to ensure door-opening instructions were visible and understandable. Amendment 1 refines the technical installation requirements to address a specific unintended consequence (placards covering atmospheric vents/differential pressure lock), and references a revised service bulletin and an alternative compliance method. In short, the change is a technical clarification/correction rather than a substantive enlargement of regulatory scope."},"complexity_factors":["Short directive (one-page equivalent) with 4 clear sections: Applicability, Requirement, Compliance, Background","Applicability limited to specific models and serial-number ranges (explicit list reduces ambiguity)","Single external normative reference (Raytheon MSB 2741 Revision 1) with dates; one alternative compliance route referencing an earlier MSB and a Beechcraft message","Cross-reference to an FAA AD (FAA AD 98-21-20) but no extensive cross-referencing throughout the text","One conditional element: two alternative methods of compliance (modify existing placards OR remove/install new ones)","Fixed compliance timeframe (200 hours time-in-service after effective date) — simple conditional timing","Amendment 1 narrows installation detail to avoid covering atmospheric vents (single substantive technical refinement)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanical change)\n\n- Requires operators of certain Beechcraft 1900 series aeroplanes (specified by model and serial number) to fit or modify exterior placards (signs) that show operating instructions for the airstair door, cargo door and emergency exits.  (See \"Applicability\" and \"Requirement\".)\n- Gives two ways to comply: either modify the previously installed placards, or remove and fit new placards, in accordance with Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 2741 Revision 1 (Feb 1997, revised May 1997). It also allows an earlier MSB-plus-Beechcraft message approach as an alternative method of compliance. (See \"Requirement\".)\n- Sets a compliance deadline: complete the work within 200 flight hours after 28 January 1999, unless already done. (See \"Compliance\".)\n\nWho it affects\n\n- Aircraft owners, operators and maintenance organisations responsible for the listed Beechcraft 1900 models and serial numbers (1900 UA-2/UA-3; 1900C UB-1–UB-74, UC-1–UC-174; 1900C (C-12J) UD-1–UD-6; 1900D UE-1–UE-268). The requirement is addressed to the aircraft certificate holder/operator and those performing maintenance. (See \"Applicability\" and \"Requirement\".)\n\nWhy it matters (stated purpose and practical effect)\n\n- The stated reason is safety: an accident investigation found that external instructions to open an airstair door were not clearly visible or understandable, which contributed to occupants being unable to escape smoke. (See \"Background\".)\n- Amendment 1 responds to reports that previously installed placards could cover atmospheric vents for the cabin door differential pressure lock; it therefore clarifies or updates the placard installation to avoid creating a new hazard. (See \"Background\" and the amendment note.)\n\nPractical mechanics, incentives and who pays\n\n- What operators must do: arrange for the placards to be modified or replaced per the referenced service bulletin, and document the work in the aircraft records. (See \"Requirement\".)\n- Who pays: operators/owners pay for the labour and parts to modify or replace placards (this is routine maintenance/airworthiness work). The AD does not provide government funding. (Incentive: non-compliance risks being non-airworthy and grounds for regulatory action.)\n- Who decides: the aircraft operator decides when to schedule the work (within the 200 flight-hour window) and the maintenance provider decides how to implement the MSB instructions. The regulator enforces compliance. (See \"Compliance\" and \"Requirement\".)\n\nCompliance burden, trade-offs and implementation risks\n\n- Burden: low-to-moderate — fitting or modifying placards is a limited maintenance task but requires correct adherence to the MSB drawings and instructions and avoidance of covering vents. Operators must schedule the work within the specified flight-hour period. (See \"Requirement\" and \"Compliance\".)\n- Trade-offs/opportunity costs: minimal direct operating cost and aircraft downtime; the trade-off is increased clarity of emergency instructions versus small maintenance time and material cost. There is no change to aircraft performance or major systems.\n- Implementation risks: incorrect placement that covers atmospheric vents or differential pressure lock components (the exact problem Amendment 1 addresses) could create a new safety issue. The AD mitigates this by specifying the MSB and revision. Using an incorrect or superseded service bulletin could fail to address the vent issue; the AD points to a specific MSB revision and notes an acceptable alternative compliance route. (See \"Requirement\" and amendment note in \"Background\".)\n\nOther relevant mechanics\n\n- The AD cross-references an FAA airworthiness directive (FAA AD 98-21-20) and a Raytheon/Aircraft service bulletin; compliance is thus implemented by following manufacturer-prescribed instructions. (See note and \"Requirement\".)\n\nSource claims vs. concrete effects\n\n- The AD claims it improves occupant survivability by making emergency/external-door instructions clearer; mechanically, it enforces the installation or modification of readable placards in specified locations and prevents placements that interfere with vents or pressure locks. The concrete effects are limited to physical placard changes and associated maintenance records; any wider safety benefit depends on whether the new placards are correctly installed, visible, and understood in an emergency. (See \"Background\" and \"Requirement\".)"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-beech-1900-16-amdt-1-exterior-operating-instruction-placards-for-external-doors","history":"/api/acts/ad-beech-1900-16-amdt-1-exterior-operating-instruction-placards-for-external-doors/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-beech-1900-16-amdt-1-exterior-operating-instruction-placards-for-external-doors/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-beech-1900-16-amdt-1-exterior-operating-instruction-placards-for-external-doors/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-beech-1900-16-amdt-1-exterior-operating-instruction-placards-for-external-doors/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-beech-1900-16-amdt-1-exterior-operating-instruction-placards-for-external-doors/documents"}}