COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
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 CASR 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.
Cessna 120 and 140 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 120/2 Rudder Bar Control Cable Horns 5/2003
Applicability: Model 120 and 140 aircraft, serial numbers 8001 through 12349.
Requirement: Remove the forward part of the tunnel fairing on the cockpit floor and inspect the control cable horns on the rudder bar for signs of bending.
Bent control cable horns, which can be straightened without cracking, shall be reinforced by the installation of Cessna part number 0411303, or its equivalent.
Before further flight, replace cracked control cable horns with Cessna part number 0310168 (made of 0.080- inch steel).
Note: FAA AD 47-43-04 and Cessna Service Letter No. 43 refer.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service or 12 months after 15 May 2003, whichever occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service, until horns are replaced.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 15 May 2003.
Background: The rudder bar control cable horns have been found bent. This damage can be caused by excessive foot pressure during application of the parking brakes, which can result in reduced rudder travel.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 4 April 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 23 April 2003.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, as amended, include the Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 120/2, which addresses a specific safety issue identified in certain Cessna 120 and 140 series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, this directive was introduced to mitigate the risk associated with bent rudder bar control cable horns, which can lead to reduced rudder travel and potential flight safety issues. The directive applies to Model 120 and 140 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 8001 to 12349 and mandates inspections and necessary repairs or replacements of the control cable horns to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft. This regulatory measure aims to enhance flight safety by addressing the specific mechanical issue identified in the specified aircraft models.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Model 120 and 140 aircraft manufactured by Cessna, with serial numbers ranging from 8001 to 12349. The directive mandates that these aircraft must undergo an inspection and, if necessary, repair of the rudder bar control cable horns. The requirement is for the forward part of the tunnel fairing on the cockpit floor to be removed to inspect the control cable horns for signs of bending. If the horns are found to be bent and can be straightened without cracking, they must be reinforced by the installation of a specified part number or its equivalent. Any cracked control cable horns must be replaced with a specified part made of 0.080-inch steel before further flight. Compliance with these requirements must occur within 100 hours of time in service or 12 months after the directive's effective date of 15 May 2003, and then at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until the horns are replaced. This AD is issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, as per the regulations.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, detail the process and requirements for issuing Airworthiness Directives (AD) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The AD in question (AD/CESSNA 120/2) pertains to the Cessna 120 and 140 Series Aeroplanes, with serial numbers ranging from 8001 to 12349. This directive mandates a specific action to address a safety concern regarding the rudder bar control cable horns. The requirement outlined in section 5/2003 mandates that the forward part of the tunnel fairing on the cockpit floor be removed, and the control cable horns on the rudder bar be inspected for any signs of bending.
The AD stipulates that any bent control cable horns that can be straightened without cracking must be reinforced by installing Cessna part number 0411303 or its equivalent. Additionally, any cracked control cable horns must be replaced with Cessna part number 0310168, which is made of 0.080-inch steel, before further flight. This AD references FAA AD 47-43-04 and Cessna Service Letter No. 43 for additional information. Compliance with this directive must occur within 100 hours of time in service or 12 months after 15 May 2003, whichever is sooner, and then at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until the horns are replaced.
The obligations imposed by this AD on the parties and entities it governs include ensuring that the specified inspection and reinforcement actions are carried out on the affected aircraft within the stipulated timeframe. This involves the removal of the cockpit floor fairing, inspection of the control cable horns, and subsequent reinforcement or replacement as necessary. Failure to comply with this AD could result in safety risks, including reduced rudder travel and potential in-flight hazards. The directive becomes effective on 15 May 2003, and any non-compliance could lead to serious safety issues and potential regulatory action.
The consequences of breaching this AD are significant. Under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations, non-compliance with an AD can result in severe penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties may include imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness of the safety issues at hand. The maximum penalties for such breaches are outlined in the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which includes fines of up to $275,000 for corporations and $55,000 for individuals, as well as potential imprisonment terms. Therefore, it is imperative for the relevant parties to adhere strictly to the requirements set forth in this AD to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the affected aircraft.