{"id":"F2006B04039","name":"AD/BEECH 55/92 - Electroluminescent Panel Retaining Screw","slug":"ad-beech-55-92-electroluminescent-panel-retaining-screw","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":43650,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B04039-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","sectionType":"part","heading":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","content":"# ![](image.002.png)![](image.001.png)AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.002.png)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 CAR 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.\n\nBeechcraft 55, 58 and 95-55 (Baron) Series Aeroplanes","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/BEECH 55/92 Electroluminescent Panel ","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/BEECH 55/92 Electroluminescent Panel Retaining Screw 8/2002","content":"# AD/BEECH 55/92 Electroluminescent Panel Retaining Screw 8/2002\n\nDM\n\nApplicability: Beech models and serial numbers as follows:","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Model Serial Numbers","sectionType":"part","heading":"Model Serial Numbers","content":"## Model Serial Numbers","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"Beechcraft 55, 58 and 95-55 (Baron) Seri","sectionType":"part","heading":"Beechcraft 55, 58 and 95-55 (Baron) Series Aeroplanes","content":"## Beechcraft 55, 58 and 95-55 (Baron) Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/BEECH 55/92 (continued)\n\nFor Requirement 3 - As of the effective date of this Directive. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 15 July 2002.\n\nBackground: The United States Federal Aviation Administration has advised that an improper length electroluminescent panel retaining screw damaged the rotating beacon circuit breaker switch, which resulted in damaged wiring. This condition could result in failure of the circuit breaker and lead to smoke and/or fire in the cockpit.\n\nThis Directive requires an inspection of the Instrument Subpanel electroluminescent panel retaining screw for proper length and the rotating beacon circuit breaker switch (or any other switch in the same location) for damage together with replacement of any screw or circuit breaker switch as necessary. These actions are intended to prevent damage to the rotating beacon circuit breaker switch or any other switch in the same location, which could cause smoke and/or fire in the cockpit.\n\n![](image.003.png)  \n\nEugene Paul Holzapfel\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 26 June 2002\n\n![](image.002.png)The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 3 July 2002.","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive remains narrowly targeted to the specific unsafe condition identified (improper screw length damaging a circuit breaker/switch). It does not expand beyond that original safety purpose: it requires inspection and replacement only where the wrong screw length or switch damage is found and applies only to listed Beechcraft models/serial numbers. There is no broadened regulatory scope, new ongoing monitoring regime, or extension to unrelated systems."},"complexity_factors":["Short directive focused on a single component and single failure mode","Few procedural steps: inspect screw length and switch for damage, replace as necessary","Limited applicability to specific Beechcraft models/serial numbers","One clear effective date (15 July 2002)","Minimal cross-references (references FAA advice and CAR 1998 subregulation 39.1(1))","No nested exceptions or multiple conditional branches","Practical complexity concentrated in maintenance execution and parts sourcing rather than regulatory interpretation"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this directive does (mechanical change)\n\n- Requires owners/operators of certain Beechcraft Baron aeroplanes (models 55, 58 and 95-55) to inspect the instrument subpanel electroluminescent panel retaining screw to make sure it is the correct length and to inspect the rotating beacon circuit breaker switch (or any other switch occupying that position) for damage.\n- If the screw is the wrong length or if the circuit breaker (or other switch in that location) is damaged, the directive requires replacing the screw and/or the switch.\n- The directive became effective on 15 July 2002 (see Compliance/Effective Date). The power to issue this directive is exercised by a CASA delegate under CAR 1998 subregulation 39.1(1).\n\nWho this affects\n\n- Aircraft owners, operators and maintenance organisations responsible for Beechcraft 55, 58 and 95-55 (Baron) series aeroplanes of the serial numbers listed in the Applicability section.\n- Maintenance personnel who perform the inspection and, where necessary, the replacement work.\n\nWhy it matters (stated purpose and safety mechanism)\n\n- The background states that an improperly long electroluminescent panel retaining screw damaged the rotating beacon circuit breaker switch and wiring, creating a risk that the circuit breaker could fail and cause smoke and/or fire in the cockpit.\n- The directive's required inspections and replacements are intended to prevent that damage, and therefore reduce the risk of smoke/fire originating from that circuit area (see Background and Requirement sections).\n\nOperational effects, costs and incentives\n\n- Who pays: aircraft owners/operators pay for the inspection time, any parts (correct-length screws, replacement circuit breakers or switches), and any aircraft downtime while work is done.\n- Who decides: CASA (via the delegate) imposed the mandatory requirement; maintenance organisations decide how to schedule and carry out the inspection and replacements consistent with approved maintenance procedures.\n- Behaviour change required: affected operators must add this inspection/replacement work to scheduled maintenance until the unsafe condition is corrected on each aeroplane.\n- Direct costs: labour for inspection, cost of replacement parts where needed, and aircraft out-of-service time. The text does not set a fixed interval for repeated inspection; it requires inspection as stated in the Requirement (one-off inspection and replacement as necessary) tied to the effective date.\n\nTrade-offs, implementation risk and compliance burden\n\n- Trade-offs: minimal operational scope (single screw and one circuit breaker location) means the safety benefit is concentrated relative to a small compliance cost per aircraft, but cumulative fleet costs could be non-trivial if many aircraft need parts or hours of maintenance.\n- Implementation risks: incomplete inspections, use of incorrect replacement hardware, or failure to record/track corrective action could leave the hazard unremedied. Maintenance organisations must ensure correct screw length and approved replacement parts are used.\n- Compliance burden: limited in technical complexity but requires competent maintenance personnel and access to correct parts. Smaller operators may face relatively higher per-aircraft costs because of fixed call-out and administrative costs.\n\nEffects on private enterprise and markets\n\n- The directive imposes a targeted regulatory compliance cost on owners/operators of the specified Beechcraft models. It does not alter ownership, operating licences, or competition dynamics beyond creating a small cost of continuing to operate affected aircraft.\n- Maintenance service providers may see short-term demand for inspections and replacements; suppliers of approved parts (correct screws, circuit breakers) could experience increased sales. There is no change to contracting freedom beyond the usual requirement that work be done in accordance with approved maintenance standards.\n\nSource claims and testing them against costs and incentives\n\n- Source claim (Background): improper screw length can damage the circuit breaker and wiring and lead to smoke/fire. The directive addresses this mechanically by inspection and replacement. The remedy is narrow: it fixes the immediate hardware mismatch and replaces damaged switches where found.\n- Costs/incentives test: because the benefit is the prevention of a potentially serious (but concentrated) failure, the directive targets a limited set of airframes and components. The administrative and parts costs are borne by operators; there is no subsidy or cost-sharing mechanism in the directive. The directive does not create ongoing monitoring obligations beyond the specified inspection/replacement requirement, which limits ongoing administrative costs but raises the importance of ensuring the fix is permanent (correct replacement parts and installation).\n\nImplementation note\n\n- The text cross-references FAA advice as the source of the unsafe condition; operators should follow the specific inspection and replacement instructions in the Requirement section and maintain compliance records per standard maintenance regulations.\n\n(References within this directive: Applicability; Background; Requirement; Compliance/Effective Date; issued under CAR 1998 subregulation 39.1(1).)"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a targeted airworthiness directive addressing a specific known safety defect. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of correcting the unsafe condition involving the electroluminescent panel retaining screw and associated circuit breaker damage."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 300 words)","Only 3 main operative sections: Applicability, Background, and Requirements","Single, specific mechanical issue addressed (one screw and one switch)","No defined terms section or interpretation provisions","No cross-references to other legislation beyond the enabling regulation (CAR 1998, subregulation 39.1(1))","Clear, direct instructions without nested conditions or exceptions"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a **safety order for specific Beechcraft aeroplanes** (the Baron series: models 55, 58, and 95-55). It was issued by Australia's aviation safety regulator (CASA) in 2002.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Requires owners/operators to **inspect a specific screw** in the instrument panel that holds an electroluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) panel in place\n- Also requires **checking a circuit breaker switch** for the rotating beacon light for damage\n- If either is faulty, they must be **replaced**\n\n**Why it matters:**\n- The wrong length screw was found to **damage the circuit breaker switch**, which could damage wiring\n- This damage could cause **smoke or fire in the cockpit** — a serious flight safety risk\n\n**Who must comply:**\n- Anyone operating the specified Beechcraft Baron models listed in the serial number tables (not fully shown in this extract)\n\n**When:**\n- The directive took effect on **15 July 2002**"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-beech-55-92-electroluminescent-panel-retaining-screw","history":"/api/acts/ad-beech-55-92-electroluminescent-panel-retaining-screw/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-beech-55-92-electroluminescent-panel-retaining-screw/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-beech-55-92-electroluminescent-panel-retaining-screw/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-beech-55-92-electroluminescent-panel-retaining-screw/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-beech-55-92-electroluminescent-panel-retaining-screw/documents"}}