AD 97-25-03 Amendment 39-10226

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) 65, 90, 99, 100, 200, 300, 1900, and 2000 series airplanes. This AD requires amending the Limitations Section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to prohibit lifting or positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight. This AFM amendment will include a statement of consequences if the limitation is not followed. This AD results from numerous incidents and five documented accidents involving airplanes equipped with turboprop engines where the propeller beta was improperly utilized during flight. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent nose down pitch and a descent rate leading to aircraft damage and injury to personnel caused by the power levers being positioned below the flight idle stop or the power levers being lifted while the airplane is in flight.