Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, as amended, provide a framework for ensuring the safety of civil aviation operations in Australia. One particular legislative instrument, F2006B04903, was enacted to address a specific safety concern identified with the Cessna 120 and 140 series aeroplanes. This Airworthiness Directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to rectify an unsafe condition identified with the elevator spar web hinges of the affected aircraft. The policy objective of the directive is to enhance the safety of these aircraft by mandating regular inspections and necessary repairs to prevent potential structural failures. The directive was issued under the authority of the CASA delegate and became effective on 15 May 2003, requiring compliance within specific timeframes to ensure that the identified safety issue was promptly addressed by operators of the affected aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations, applies to all aircraft within the specified model and serial number range, namely the Cessna 120 and 140 series aeroplanes with serial numbers between 8001 and 13780. This Airworthiness Directive is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and applies to any person or entity that owns or operates these aircraft within the Australian jurisdiction. The directive mandates a specific action concerning the inspection and maintenance of the elevator spar web at the hinges to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. The directive specifies that the inspection must be carried out within certain timeframes, including 100 hours of service or within 12 months from the directive's effective date, whichever comes first, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of service. The directive is enforceable across the Commonwealth of Australia, and non-compliance may result in regulatory action. This AD can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, but the primary requirement remains as stipulated in the AD.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically addresses Airworthiness Directives, with the most relevant section here being section 39.1(1) (CASR 1998). This section empowers the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. In this particular instance, AD/CESSNA 120/3 pertains to Cessna 120 and 140 Series Aeroplanes, specifically addressing elevator spar web hinges. The directive applies to Model 120 and 140 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 8001 to 13780. Under this directive, aircraft owners and operators are required to inspect the elevator spar web at the hinges for fatigue cracks, which can start at rivets or edges of the fitting and may progress until the elevator breaks loose from the hinge fitting. Depending on the severity of the cracks identified, the directive specifies two actions: if cracks are less than 0.5-inch in length, a reinforcing channel must be installed, either Cessna part number 0434151 for the outboard hinge or 0434152 for the inboard hinge. Conversely, if cracks exceed 0.5-inch in length, the spar must be replaced, and reinforcing channels must be added. These actions are detailed and include specific instructions for the installation of rivets and fittings. Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive could result in safety issues that may lead to severe consequences, including potential accidents or incidents. While the legislation does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives generally may result in enforcement actions by CASA, which could include fines, suspension, or revocation of airworthiness certificates. Additionally, any resultant accidents or incidents could lead to civil or criminal liability under other aviation and safety laws. The directive mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service or 12 months from 15 May 2003, whichever comes first, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. This requirement ensures that the inspections and necessary actions are performed regularly to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft. The directive became effective on 15 May 2003, and its notification was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 23 April 2003.