AD/CESSNA 170/13 Amdt 2 - Plastic Control Wheel

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through the Legislative instrument F2006B04950, address safety concerns specific to certain Cessna aircraft models, namely the 170, 172, F172, FR172, and 175 series aeroplanes. This legislation was introduced to address potential safety issues with the plastic control wheels of these aircraft, ensuring that all affected aircraft comply with specific service intervals to maintain airworthiness standards. The regulations were enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia and administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), with the overarching policy objective of enhancing aviation safety by mandating regular inspections and maintenance of critical aircraft components. The specific directive, AD/CESSNA 170/13 Amendment 2, outlines the requirement for aircraft fitted with plastic control wheels to adhere to Cessna Service Letters No 62-44 and No 64-8. These service letters mandate that inspections and necessary actions be carried out at intervals not exceeding 100 hours for one service letter and 500 hours for the other, post 1 September 1971. This regulatory measure aims to mitigate risks associated with the material degradation of the control wheels, thereby ensuring the continued safety and reliability of these aircraft in operation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and applies to certain Cessna aircraft models, namely the 170, 172, F172, FR172, and 175 series aeroplanes. This legislation mandates specific maintenance requirements for aircraft fitted with plastic control wheels, as outlined in the Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 170/13 Amendment 2. The requirement targets all 172 and 175 series aircraft equipped with such control wheels and necessitates compliance with Cessna Service Letters No 62-44 and No 64-8. Compliance must be achieved at specified intervals, with the control wheel checks to be performed at intervals not exceeding 100 hours for Service Letter No 62-44 and 500 hours for Service Letter No 64-8, both following the directive’s effective date of 1 September 1971. The legislation is applicable nationally across Australia, governed by the Commonwealth, ensuring uniform safety standards and compliance across all states and territories.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include provisions concerning airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models, including the Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172, and 175 series aeroplanes. One such directive is AD/CESSNA 170/13 Amendment 2, which pertains to the plastic control wheel of the specified aircraft. The directive requires compliance with two specific Service Letters (SL) issued by Cessna: SL No 62-44 and SL No 64-8. The applicability of this directive is limited to all Cessna 172 and 175 series aeroplanes equipped with plastic control wheels. The primary requirement outlined in the directive is for the aircraft to undergo the actions specified in Cessna SL No 62-44 and SL No 64-8. Compliance with SL No 62-44 must occur at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service, while compliance with SL No 64-8 must occur at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service, following 1 September 1971. Entities governed by these regulations must ensure that the specified actions are carried out within the prescribed intervals to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. This involves following the detailed procedures outlined in the referenced Service Letters, which likely include inspection, repair, or replacement of the plastic control wheel components as necessary. Failure to comply with these directives can result in serious safety risks and potential regulatory non-compliance. Breach of the requirements set forth in the airworthiness directive may lead to civil or criminal consequences, including enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). While the specific penalties are not detailed in the legislative text provided, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can typically result in fines, operational restrictions, or even the grounding of the affected aircraft until the required actions are completed. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the prescribed intervals and procedures to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.