AD/CESSNA 170/21 - Control Systems

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, were enacted to ensure the safety of aircraft and those operating within the Australian aviation industry. This legislation was introduced by the Commonwealth of Australia and addresses the need for consistent and stringent airworthiness standards to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of passengers, crew, and the general public. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as part of this regulatory framework, issues airworthiness directives to maintain and enhance aviation safety, with the overarching policy objective of ensuring that all aircraft in operation meet the highest safety standards. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 170/21, pertains to the control systems of specific Cessna aeroplane models, namely the 170, 172, F172, FR172, and 175 series. This directive applies to all affected models with specified serial numbers and mandates compliance with Cessna Service Letter SE 69-28 within 100 hours of time in service after 29 April 1970. This directive aims to rectify identified safety issues by ensuring that the control systems of these aircraft meet the required safety standards, thereby contributing to the overall safety of civil aviation within Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s schedule of airworthiness directives for certain Cessna aeroplane models, including the Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172, and 175 series. This legislation applies to specific serial number ranges of these aeroplanes, mandating compliance with the requirements set out in the Cessna Service Letter SE 69-28, which concerns control systems. The directive requires actions to be taken within 100 hours of time in service after the specified date, 29 April 1970, to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft in question. The scope of the regulation is limited to the specified serial number ranges, and it is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. There are no exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds mentioned in the provided text, and compliance is mandatory for the specified aircraft within the stipulated timeframe.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, contain several airworthiness directives that govern the maintenance and operation of specific aircraft types. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 170/21, pertains to the control systems of Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172, and 175 Series aeroplanes. This directive applies to a defined range of serial numbers: 17258161 to 17258844 for Cessna 172 models, F1720640 to F1720687 for F172 models, and FR1720108 to FR1720175 for FR172 models (Section 39 - 105). The requirement outlined in this directive mandates that the control systems of these aeroplanes must be actioned in accordance with Cessna Service Letter SE 69-28. Compliance with this directive is crucial, as it must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after the directive's effective date of 29 April 1970. Entities and individuals responsible for maintaining these aircraft must adhere to the specific instructions provided in Cessna Service Letter SE 69-28. This entails conducting a thorough inspection and necessary modifications to the control systems to ensure they meet the airworthiness standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The directive underscores the importance of timely compliance, with the requirement needing to be fulfilled within 100 hours of time in service post the directive's issuance. Failure to comply with this directive could result in the aeroplane being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding and legal repercussions. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose strict obligations on operators and maintenance personnel to ensure that all directives are followed meticulously. This includes conducting the required actions within the stipulated timeframe, maintaining detailed records of compliance, and ensuring that the aircraft remain airworthy. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to significant consequences, including the inability to operate the aircraft until the required actions are completed and approved by CASA. This not only affects the operational readiness of the aircraft but also imposes potential financial and legal liabilities on the operators. In terms of consequences, failure to comply with the provisions of AD/CESSNA 170/21 and other airworthiness directives can lead to both civil and criminal penalties. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance may result in fines and other enforcement actions by CASA. In more severe cases, where the failure to comply leads to an incident or accident, criminal charges could be brought against the responsible parties. The specific penalties are not detailed in the regulations but can be substantial, reflecting the critical nature of ensuring aircraft airworthiness and safety.