Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, aim to ensure the safety of civil aviation within the country. These regulations, part of which is presented in the form of Airworthiness Directives (ADs), are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The specific AD/CESSNA 120/10, issued in June 2003, targets an identified safety issue concerning the Cessna 120 and 140 series aeroplanes, specifically those within serial numbers 8001 to 8480. The problem this directive addresses is the potential confusion caused by an embossed pointer on the fuel selector handle, which could lead to incorrect operation of the fuel selector valve. The directive mandates the removal of this pointer and verification that the fuel selector handle aligns correctly with the selector valve position as indicated by the cockpit placard. This requirement aims to rectify the unsafe condition and ensure compliance with safety standards within the stipulated timeframe.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety standards for aviation operations within Australia. This legislation applies to aircraft and aeronautical products within the Australian jurisdiction, aiming to ensure compliance with safety directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The AD/CESSNA 120/10 directive targets Cessna 120 and 140 series aircraft with specific serial numbers, mandating actions to correct identified unsafe conditions. This directive requires the removal of the embossed pointer from the fuel selector handle and verification of the selector handle’s correct indication as per the cockpit placard. It applies unless the specified actions have already been completed within 100 flight hours or twelve months from the directive's effective date of 12 June 2003. The directive is effective upon its notification in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 21 May 2003, underscoring CASA's commitment to maintaining stringent safety standards for aircraft operations within its jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, particularly in Part 39 - 105, establish a framework for ensuring the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products through the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs). These ADs, such as AD/CESSNA 120/10, mandate specific actions to rectify unsafe conditions in particular aircraft models (section 39.1(1)). The AD/CESSNA 120/10 pertains to Cessna 120 and 140 series aeroplanes with serial numbers 8001-8480 inclusive. The directive mandates the removal of an embossed pointer from the fuel selector handle and verification of the handle's correct indication of the fuel selector valve position (requirements 1 and 2). Compliance with these directives must occur unless it has been done within 100 flight hours or twelve months prior to the directive's effective date, which for this AD is 12 June 2003. The obligations imposed by the AD/CESSNA 120/10 require aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel to ensure that the specified actions are carried out on the affected aircraft. The directive emphasises the need for verification that the fuel selector handle correctly indicates the position of the selector valve, as shown by the placard in the cockpit. The directive aims to prevent confusion during operation, which could potentially lead to unsafe conditions. This is an important requirement for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the requirements of an Airworthiness Directive can result in severe consequences. Non-compliance may render the aircraft non-airworthy, leading to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The potential penalties include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other administrative actions. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, they can be severe under civil aviation law and may include criminal charges in cases of gross negligence or willful disregard for safety regulations. The overarching aim of these measures is to ensure that all parties adhere strictly to the ADs to maintain the highest safety standards in aviation.