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 120/8 Forward Door Posts 5/2003
Applicability: Model 120 and 140 aircraft, serial numbers 8001 through 8799.
Requirement: Inspect the forward door posts for cracks, particularly the flange section leading from the post to the instrument panel at the base of the windshield, and the post itself below the rivet cluster at the top. Remove all the inside fairings attached to the post to permit a thorough inspection.
Following inspection, before further flight, repair cracks in the flange section that do not exceed 0.75- inch in length by stop drilling.
If cracks exceed 0.75- inch in length in the flange or if any cracks are evident in the door post structure itself, before further flight, replace the door post with the Cessna later type post, part numbers 0411867-2 and 0411867-3, in accordance with the installation instructions supplied by Cessna.
Note: FAA AD 47-06-11 and Cessna Service Letter No. 20 refer.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service or within 12 months after 15 May 2003, whichever occurs first. Thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service, until later type door posts are installed.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 15 May 2003.
Background: The FAA requires inspection of the forward door posts until revised posts are installed.
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.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) are a fundamental piece of Australian legislation designed to ensure the safety of civil aviation. These regulations were enacted by the Parliament of Australia and are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The CASR 1998 fill a critical gap by establishing a comprehensive framework that governs the safety standards and requirements for aircraft, personnel, and other entities involved in civil aviation. This includes the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs), such as the one issued for Cessna 120 and 140 series aeroplanes, which aim to address specific safety concerns and ensure that aircraft maintain the highest standards of airworthiness. The policy objective behind these regulations is to safeguard the public and promote efficient and orderly development of civil aviation in Australia.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998), specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products within Australia. This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1(1) of the CASR 1998, and it pertains to the inspection, repair, and replacement of forward door posts for specific Cessna 120 and 140 series aeroplanes. The AD applies to aircraft with serial numbers between 8001 and 8799, mandating inspections and actions to rectify any identified cracks to ensure continued safe operation. The directive must be complied with within 100 hours of time in service or within 12 months after 15 May 2003, whichever comes first, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. The AD becomes effective on 15 May 2003, and its compliance is overseen by CASA, extending its regulatory reach to all relevant aircraft operators within the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 120/8 applies to Cessna 120 and 140 series aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers ranging from 8001 to 8799 (Section 1). This directive mandates a thorough inspection of the forward door posts for any cracks, focusing on the flange section leading from the post to the instrument panel at the base of the windshield and the post itself below the rivet cluster at the top (Section 2). All inside fairings attached to the post must be removed to allow for an effective inspection (Section 2). The requirement section specifies that if any cracks are found in the flange section and do not exceed 0.75 inches in length, they must be repaired by stop drilling before further flight (Section 3). If cracks exceed 0.75 inches in length in the flange or if any cracks are evident in the door post structure itself, the door post must be replaced with a later type post, specifically part numbers 0411867-2 and 0411867-3, following the installation instructions provided by Cessna (Section 3).
Operators and owners of the affected aircraft must comply with the inspection and repair requirements set forth in the AD. This includes conducting the inspections within 100 hours of time in service or within 12 months after 15 May 2003, whichever comes first, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until the newer door posts are installed (Section 4). Failure to comply with the AD could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to grounding and potential enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Non-compliance may also result in civil or criminal penalties under relevant aviation safety legislation.
In the event of a breach of the AD, CASA has the authority to impose penalties, which could include fines and other enforcement measures. The specific penalties are not detailed in the AD itself but would be determined under the broader framework of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 and other applicable legislation. Additionally, operators could face operational disruptions and potential safety risks if the aircraft are not maintained in accordance with the AD requirements.