What it does
This Airworthiness Directive (AD/BEECH 400/27, dated 10/2006 and effective 28 September 2006) mandates specific inspection and replacement actions on certain Raytheon (Beech) Model 400 and 400A aeroplanes that have a particular starter generator kit incorporated. Mechanically, the Directive requires operators to:
- review the aeroplane logbook in accordance with Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 24-3713 (November 2005) to determine whether a GCU installation kit P/N 128-3001-1P or 128-3001-3P is installed (Requirement 1);
- if no such kit is found in the logbook or kit P/N cannot be conclusively determined, replace the Shinko generator control units (GCUs) with Lucas Aerospace/Goodrich GCUs using installation kit P/N 128-3001-1P or 128-3001-3P, following SB 24-3713 (Requirement 2);
- if the installation kit P/N is found to be present, inspect to determine the P/N of both GCUs and then proceed with Requirement 4 or 5 as applicable (Requirement 3);
- where both GCUs are P/N 45AS88801-19 or -25, inspect the P/N of both current sense transformers located on the lower inboard quadrant of the left-hand and right-hand engine inlets; if either transformer is not P/N 45AS88801-21, replace it per SB 24-3713 (Requirement 4, sub‑parts a and b);
- where either GCU is not P/N 45AS88801-19 or -25, replace that GCU with a new GCU P/N 45AS88801-19 or -25, then inspect the two current sense transformers and replace any that are not P/N 45AS88801-21, per SB 24-3713 (Requirement 5, sub‑parts a and b).
The Directive sets a compliance window: perform Requirements 1-5 within 200 hours time in service or six months after the AD’s effective date, whichever occurs first. It explicitly accepts later revisions of SB 24-3713 approved by the United States FAA as an Alternate Method of Compliance (AMOC) for the equivalent Requirements of this Directive. The stated operational risk that triggers these mechanical requirements is an over-voltage condition reported by the FAA for the DC starter generator, attributed by the Directive to incompatibility between certain GCUs; the Directive frames the required work as necessary to prevent loss of normal electrical power, damage to electrical components, blown fuses in flight, and potential unrecoverable loss of some or all essential equipment. The Directive is signed by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), dated 14 August 2006.