AD/CESSNA 150/15 Amdt 1 - Tailplane Attachment

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, form a comprehensive regulatory framework governing civil aviation in the country. Within this framework, Part 39, specifically AD/CESSNA 150/15, addresses the safety of Cessna 150, F150, 152 & F152 series aeroplanes by issuing Airworthiness Directives. The legislation was introduced to tackle safety concerns related to the structural integrity of these aircraft models. The amendment in question, AD/CESSNA 150/15 Amendment 1, mandates inspections of the rear fuselage skin, stiffeners, and doublers in the areas of the tailplane attachments to detect any cracking. The objective is to ensure compliance by inspecting these components within 100 hours of time in service after 6 June 1969, unless an inspection has already occurred within the previous 200 hours, with subsequent inspections required at intervals not exceeding 200 hours from the preceding inspection.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, apply to all models of Cessna 150, F150, 152, and F152 series aeroplanes that have accumulated more than 500 hours of time in service, including those that are new or have undergone modifications. These regulations mandate specific safety inspections to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft. The inspection requirement focuses on the rear fuselage skin, stiffeners, and doublers in the areas of the tailplane attachments to detect any signs of cracking. Compliance with these safety directives is mandatory, with inspections to be conducted within 100 hours of the aeroplane exceeding 500 hours of time in service following the issuance date of 6 June 1969, unless the aeroplane has already been inspected within the previous 200 hours of time in service. Subsequent inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 200 hours from the preceding inspection.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for the Cessna 150, F150, 152 & F152 series aeroplanes. The regulation in focus mandates inspections of certain components of these aircraft to ensure their continued airworthiness (Section 105). The directive applies to all models that have exceeded 500 hours of time in service, which includes newly manufactured and previously modified aeroplanes (AD/CESSNA 150/15Amdt 1). The specific requirement is to inspect the rear fuselage skin, stiffeners, and doublers in the areas of the tailplane attachments for any signs of cracking (6/69). The legislation imposes specific obligations on aircraft operators and maintenance personnel. Operators must ensure that the required inspections are conducted in accordance with the timeframes stipulated by CASA. For an aircraft that has exceeded 500 hours of time in service, an inspection must be performed within 100 hours of the aeroplane surpassing this threshold after 6 June 1969, unless it was inspected within the previous 200 hours of time in service. Following this initial or most recent inspection, subsequent inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of time in service from the preceding inspection (AD/CESSNA 150/15Amdt 1). This regular inspection requirement is crucial to maintaining the structural integrity of the aeroplane and ensuring compliance with airworthiness standards. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive may result in serious legal and safety consequences. The regulations establish that non-compliance with airworthiness directives is an offence under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Breaches of these directives may lead to enforcement actions, including potential penalties for the aircraft operator. The exact nature and severity of the penalties are determined by CASA and may vary based on the circumstances of the non-compliance, including the potential for fines and sanctions against the operator's licence. It is imperative for operators to adhere strictly to the inspection schedules to avoid these repercussions and to ensure the continued safe operation of their aircraft.