Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. This piece of legislation, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), sets forth various regulations and directives to maintain airworthiness standards. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 120/11, was issued in 2003 to address a safety issue identified with Cessna 120 and 140 series aircraft. The problem arose from the potential for the primer line to fail, leading to fuel contact with the exhaust manifold, which could result in unsafe conditions. The policy objective behind this directive is to mitigate such risks by requiring specific maintenance actions on affected aircraft, ensuring compliance with the safety standards set forth in the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Cessna 120 and 140 series aeroplanes up to and including serial number 11842. The directive requires that unless previously completed, the primer line must be rerouted, the strainer adjusted, and a shield installed on the primer liner, all in accordance with Cessna Service Letter 34. This action is mandated to correct a safety concern where failure to reroute the primer could lead to fuel coming into contact with the exhaust manifold, which poses a potential safety risk. The directive applies on a national level within the Commonwealth of Australia and becomes effective from 10 July 2003, with compliance required at the next scheduled maintenance visit. The AD was issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and was notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 18 June 2003, indicating its binding nature across relevant aircraft and operators within the Australian jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) outlined in the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) (Part 39 - 105) pertains specifically to the Cessna 120 and 140 series aeroplanes, with serial numbers up to and including 11842. This directive, identified as AD/CESSNA 120/11, was issued on 28 May 2003 and became effective on 10 July 2003. It requires that the primer line of the affected aircraft be rerouted, the strainer adjusted, and a shield installed to the primer liner, as specified in Cessna Service Letter 34. This action is mandated unless it has already been carried out. The AD references FAA AD 47-43-01 and must be completed at the next scheduled maintenance visit. The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators and maintainers of the affected aircraft. They must ensure that the primer line is rerouted correctly, the strainer is adjusted, and the shield is installed to the primer liner according to the instructions provided in Cessna Service Letter 34. This requirement is essential to prevent potential issues where fuel could come into contact with the exhaust manifold, which could otherwise lead to unsafe conditions. The directive emphasises the importance of adherence to these instructions to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the provisions of this AD may result in significant legal and safety consequences. Although the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the AD, breaches of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions could include fines, enforcement notices, and in severe cases, the grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are completed. Additionally, non-compliance could result in civil liabilities and criminal charges, particularly if the failure to adhere to the AD results in an accident or incident that causes harm or damage.