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 170/35 Flying Control System Turnbuckles 4/80
Applicability: All models 172, 172RG, F172, R172 & FR172 with S/Nos 17268484 to 17273184, 172RG0001 to 172RG0013, F17201551 to F17201868, F17201890 to F17201901, R17202232 to R17203238, FR17200596 to FR17200655.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Cessna SIL No SE80-16. Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 April 1980.
Background: Some of the AN 155 brass turnbuckles used in the control system may have longitudinal cracks radiating from the turnbuckle end.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, is a comprehensive set of regulations designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. One aspect of these regulations, specifically addressed in PART 39 - 105, pertains to the issuance of airworthiness directives, which are legally enforceable rules aimed at correcting an unsafe condition on an aircraft. The regulation AD/CESSNA 170/35, introduced to address potential safety issues in certain Cessna aircraft models, aims to ensure that specific flying control system turnbuckles are examined and maintained to prevent structural failure. This regulation applies to certain Cessna 172, 172RG, F172, R172, and FR172 series aeroplanes and requires compliance within a specified timeframe to maintain airworthiness and ensure the safety of the aircraft and its occupants.
The policy objective of this regulation is to mitigate the risk of longitudinal cracks in the AN 155 brass turnbuckles, which could lead to structural failure in the control system of the aircraft. By mandating compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 April 1980, the regulation seeks to proactively address potential safety hazards and ensure that these aircraft continue to meet the required safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertain to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and the issuance of airworthiness directives, with AD/CESSNA 170/35 focusing on the Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172, and 175 series aeroplanes. This regulation applies to certain serial number ranges of the specified models, mandating compliance with the action detailed in Cessna Service Information Letter SE80-16. The directive requires adherence within 100 hours of time in service after April 30, 1980, due to the potential for longitudinal cracks in the AN 155 brass turnbuckles of the flying control system. This regulation applies to aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that the specified aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to continue operations. The regulation does not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions, implying that all specified aircraft within the designated serial numbers must comply with the directive. CASA may further refine the application of this regulation through subordinate instruments, ensuring continuous safety and operational standards across the aviation industry.
Key Provisions
The key provisions of the AD/CESSNA 170/35 concern the inspection and potential replacement of flying control system turnbuckles in certain Cessna 172 series aeroplanes. Specifically, Section 1 of the directive applies to all models 172, 172RG, F172, R172, and FR172 with specific serial numbers as outlined in the directive. This means that owners or operators of these aircraft must ensure that the aeroplanes in question are checked and possibly repaired according to the directive. Section 2 requires the action to be taken in accordance with Cessna Service Instruction Letter (SIL) No SE80-16, which provides the detailed procedures for addressing the issue.
Under Section 3, the directive mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 April 1980. This means that the specified inspection and repair work must be completed within this timeframe to ensure the aircraft meets the necessary airworthiness standards. Section 4 provides the background for the directive, explaining that some of the AN 155 brass turnbuckles used in the flying control system may have longitudinal cracks radiating from the turnbuckle end, which can compromise the integrity and safety of the aeroplanes.
The obligations imposed by the directive on the parties or entities it governs are clear and specific. Aircraft owners and operators must identify if their aeroplane falls within the serial number range specified and ensure that the required actions are carried out in accordance with the Cessna SIL No SE80-16. This includes conducting a thorough inspection of the turnbuckles and performing any necessary repairs or replacements to mitigate the risk of in-flight failure. The directive mandates that these actions are completed within the stipulated 100 hours of time in service following the specified date, ensuring that the aircraft remains airworthy.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the AD/CESSNA 170/35 can lead to significant consequences. Section 5 details the potential penalties for non-compliance. While the specific penalties are not explicitly stated in the directive, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally falls under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, where breaches can result in substantial fines and, in severe cases, criminal charges. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce these penalties, and persistent non-compliance could also result in the grounding of the aircraft, which would prevent it from operating until the required actions are completed.