{"id":"F2006B04015","name":"AD/BEECH 55/70 - Seat Recline Actuators","slug":"ad-beech-55-70-seat-recline-actuators","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":43624,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B04015-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/BEECH 55/70 - Seat Recline Actuators","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\nmeta-generator: Aspose.Words for .NET 22.10.0\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n \n\n![](image.001.png)  Beechcraft 55, 58 and 95-55 (Baron) Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/BEECH 55/70 Seat Recline Actuators 12/87\n\nApplicability: All models with S/Nos listed in the Requirement document which are equipped with Hydrolock seat recline actuators on copilot, 3rd and 4th seats.\n\n \n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with Beechcraft SB No 2175 R1.\n\n \n\nNote: FAA AD 87-18-06 refers.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Within 100 hrs time in service after 3 December 1987 or at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue, whichever is later.\n\n \n\nBackground: The manufacturer reports instances of inadvertent actuation of the seat mechanism which in some phases of flight operation could be a hazard.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument does not change scope beyond its stated purpose: it targets specified Beechcraft models/serial numbers equipped with Hydrolock seat-recline actuators and requires the corrective action set out in Beechcraft SB 2175 R1 within a defined timeframe. The stated intent (addressing reported inadvertent actuation of the seat mechanism) is reflected directly in the Applicability, Requirement and Compliance provisions and the Background description."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow, serial-number-limited applicability (Applicability) — requires checking each aircraft against a listed set of serial numbers.","Technical dependence on a manufacturer service bulletin (Requirement) — the AD mandates compliance with SB 2175 R1 rather than prescribing detailed technical steps in the text.","Fixed compliance window tied to flight hours or next scheduled maintenance (Compliance) — operators must track hours-in-service and maintenance-release scheduling to meet deadlines.","Cross-reference to foreign regulator action (Note) — the AD references an FAA AD, introducing inter-jurisdictional alignment considerations.","Limited procedural detail in the AD text itself (Requirement; Compliance) — practical implementation depends on the content and clarity of the referenced service bulletin."],"plain_english_summary":"What this instrument does (mechanically)\n\n- This is an airworthiness directive from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority that requires specific Beechcraft aeroplanes equipped with Hydrolock seat recline actuators on the copilot, 3rd and 4th seats to have corrective action performed in accordance with Beechcraft Service Bulletin No. 2175 Revision 1 (\"SB 2175 R1\"). (Requirement)\n- It applies only to the models and serial numbers listed in the accompanying Requirement document. (Applicability)\n- Operators must comply within 100 hours time-in-service after 3 December 1987, or at the next scheduled inspection for issue of a Maintenance Release, whichever is later. (Compliance)\n\nWho is affected and who pays\n\n- Aircraft owners and operators of the specified Beechcraft serial numbers are responsible for arranging and paying for the required work. (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance)\n- The physical work will be performed by maintenance personnel following the steps set out in SB 2175 R1; the directive sets the required standard but refers the technical method to the manufacturer’s service bulletin. (Requirement)\n\nWhy the action is required (the stated rationale)\n\n- The manufacturer reported instances of inadvertent actuation of the seat-recline mechanism which, in some flight phases, could be a hazard. The AD references that report as the basis for the mandated corrective action. (Background)\n- The AD also notes an FAA airworthiness directive on the same matter. (Note)\n\nPractical effects on behaviour and incentives\n\n- Operators will need to schedule the inspection/rectification within the timeframe given, which imposes maintenance time and cost and may cause aircraft downtime around the next scheduled inspection or sooner if the 100-hour window is reached. (Compliance)\n- Maintenance providers must follow the manufacturer’s procedure (SB 2175 R1); the AD requires compliance with that procedure rather than prescribing alternative technical steps. (Requirement)\n\nTrade-offs, implementation risks and compliance burdens (source-grounded)\n\n- Benefit claimed: reduced risk from inadvertent seat actuation during flight, as reported by the manufacturer. (Background)\n- Cost borne by operators: the labour, parts (if any are specified in the service bulletin), and scheduling consequences of performing SB 2175 R1 within the mandated window. (Requirement; Compliance)\n- Implementation risk: the AD ties compliance to a manufacturer service bulletin; correct implementation therefore depends on the clarity and effectiveness of SB 2175 R1 and on competent maintenance execution. (Requirement)\n- Administrative detail not specified in this text: the AD does not in this document list enforcement measures, penalties, or alternative compliance pathways — it specifies the required action and timeframe and refers to the service bulletin for technical work. (Requirement; Compliance)\n\nConcise summary statement\n\n- The directive mandates that owners/operators of specified Beechcraft 55/58/95-55 series aeroplanes with Hydrolock seat-recline actuators must carry out the corrective action set out in Beechcraft SB 2175 R1 within the stated 100-hour or next-inspection window, in response to reported inadvertent actuation events. (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance; Background)"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive addressing a specific mechanical defect in specific aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating corrective action for faulty seat actuators."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 200 words)","Only 2 defined applicability criteria (aircraft models and serial numbers)","Single requirement referencing an external technical document (Beechcraft SB 2175 R1)","Simple compliance deadline structure (time-based or event-based, whichever is later)","No nested exceptions or conditional logic","No cross-references to other legislation beyond a note about the corresponding FAA directive"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this is:** This is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) — essentially a mandatory safety notice issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for specific aircraft.\n\n**What it does:** It requires owners and operators of certain Beechcraft Baron aeroplanes (models 55, 58, and 95-55) to inspect or fix a problem with the seat recline mechanisms on the copilot and passenger seats.\n\n**The problem:** The manufacturer found that the \"Hydrolock\" seat recline actuators (the hydraulic parts that let seats tilt back) could accidentally activate during flight. If a seat suddenly reclines at the wrong moment — like during takeoff or landing — it could interfere with the pilot's ability to control the aircraft.\n\n**Who must act:** Anyone operating a Beechcraft Baron with the affected serial numbers that has these specific seat actuators installed.\n\n**What they must do:** Follow the instructions in Beechcraft Service Bulletin No. 2175 Revision 1. This typically involves inspecting, modifying, or replacing the faulty actuators.\n\n**When:** The work must be done within 100 flight hours after 3 December 1987, or at the next scheduled maintenance check — whichever comes later.\n\n**Why it matters:** This prevents a potential safety hazard where seats could unexpectedly move during critical phases of flight, potentially causing loss of control or injury."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-beech-55-70-seat-recline-actuators","history":"/api/acts/ad-beech-55-70-seat-recline-actuators/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-beech-55-70-seat-recline-actuators/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-beech-55-70-seat-recline-actuators/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-beech-55-70-seat-recline-actuators/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-beech-55-70-seat-recline-actuators/documents"}}