COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172 and 175 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 170/31
Amdt 1
Fuel Vent Tube 9/78
Applicability: Models 172 and 172XP with S/Nos 17267585 to 17270223 and R1722000 to R1722852.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Cessna SL No SE78-40, Supplement No 1. Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 September 1978.
Note: Compliance with the preceding issue of this Directive does not satisfy compliance with this issue of the Directive. Dimensions printed in SL No 78-40 were incorrect.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, establish the legal framework for civil aviation in Australia, with the overarching objective of ensuring safety and efficiency within the national airspace. One of the specific areas these regulations address is the maintenance and airworthiness of aircraft through Airworthiness Directives, including AD/CESSNA 170/31 Amendment 1 concerning the Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172, and 175 series aeroplanes. This legislation aims to fill the gap in ensuring that certain models of aircraft maintain their airworthiness through necessary modifications and compliance with safety standards. This particular directive addresses an issue with the fuel vent tube, rectifying errors in the dimensions printed in a previous supplement, thereby ensuring that the specified models of Cessna aeroplanes meet the required safety standards within a stipulated timeframe.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as detailed in Part 39 - 105, pertain to the operation and maintenance of civil aircraft within Australian airspace, enforcing stringent safety standards to ensure airworthiness. Specifically, the regulation AD/CESSNA 170/31 Amendment 1 addresses the fuel vent tube requirement for certain models within the Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172, and 175 series aeroplanes. This directive applies to specific models 172 and 172XP with serial numbers ranging from 17267585 to 17270223 and R1722000 to R1722852. Operators and owners of these aircraft must comply with the directive by adhering to the instructions outlined in Cessna Service Letter SE78-40, Supplement No 1, within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1978. It is crucial to note that compliance with previous issues of this directive is not sufficient, as the dimensions specified in the prior directive were incorrect. The scope of this regulation is confined to the specified aircraft models and does not extend to other aircraft types or configurations.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for certain Cessna aeroplane models. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 170/31 Amendment 1, addresses the fuel vent tube for models 172 and 172XP with specific serial numbers (1.1). The directive mandates that these aeroplanes must comply with Cessna Service Letter No. SE78-40, Supplement No 1, which corrects previously published dimensions that were inaccurate (1.2). The compliance requirement stipulates that this action must be taken within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1978 (1.3). It is essential to note that compliance with prior versions of this directive does not fulfil the requirement of the current directive, emphasising the importance of adherence to the specified amendments (1.4).
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Primarily, aircraft owners or operators of the specified Cessna 172 and 172XP models must ensure that the fuel vent tube modifications outlined in Cessna Service Letter SE78-40, Supplement No 1, are implemented correctly. This includes verifying the accuracy of the dimensions and making the necessary adjustments within the stipulated timeframe (2.1). Additionally, aircraft maintenance personnel and engineers must be thoroughly familiar with the directive and the specific requirements for this corrective action to ensure compliance (2.2). Owners and operators must also keep accurate records of the modifications and the dates of compliance to demonstrate adherence to the directive (2.3).
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide that non-compliance with CASA directives can be considered an offence under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (3.1). Such offences may lead to civil penalties, including fines, and potential criminal charges for individuals responsible for the oversight of the aircraft (3.2). The maximum penalties for non-compliance can be substantial, reflecting the importance of maintaining airworthiness standards to ensure the safety of all those involved in aviation activities (3.3). It is imperative for all stakeholders to take the directive seriously and to adhere to the specified requirements to avoid these potential legal ramifications.