AD/CESSNA 170/43 - Fuel Quantity Placarding

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, form the primary legislation governing civil aviation safety within Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). A particular directive under this legislation is the AD/CESSNA 170/43, which was introduced to address the problem of incorrect fuel quantity placarding on specific models of Cessna aeroplanes, namely the 170, 172, F172, FR172, and 175 series. This directive aims to ensure that the fuel quantity markings on these aircraft are accurate, thereby preventing potential issues in fuel endurance and flight planning. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for specified models and serial numbers, requiring inspections and corrections to be completed within a defined timeframe to maintain airworthiness standards. The AD/CESSNA 170/43 directive outlines specific requirements for verifying and correcting fuel placarding on the affected Cessna models, mandating inspections of fuel tank covers, gauge markings, and placards to ensure they align with the actual fuel capacity. The directive references Figure 1, which details the correct fuel tank capacities and usable fuel quantities for the relevant models. Non-compliance with these directives could result in significant safety risks, underscoring the importance of adhering to the specified compliance deadlines.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, specifically in Part 39 - 105, addresses the airworthiness of certain Cessna aeroplane models through a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This particular directive, AD/CESSNA 170/43, pertains to the fuel quantity placarding for Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172, and 175 Series Aeroplanes. It applies to specific models and serial numbers, including 172N and 172P aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 17272885 to 17274357, model R172K with serial numbers from R1723200 to R1723403, and model 172RG with serial numbers from 172RG0001 to 172RG0698. The directive mandates a series of inspections and corrections to ensure that the fuel quantity placarding accurately reflects the aircraft's fuel capacity and usable fuel quantities. Compliance with these requirements is essential for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft and must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 May 1981.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for certain Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172 and 175 series aeroplanes, specifically models 172N and 172P with serial numbers between 17272885 and 17274357, model R172K with serial numbers between R1723200 and R1723403, and model 172RG with serial numbers between 172RG0001 and 172RG0698, regarding the placarding of fuel quantities. The AD, AD/CESSNA 170/43, mandates that the correct fuel tank covers be identified and inspected to ensure the placards match the actual tank capacities and usable fuel quantities as specified in Figure 1 of the directive (AD/CESSNA 170/43, s.1). Owners and operators must verify that the markings on the fuel gauge, fuel selector valve placard, and fuel tank filler placard are accurate and replace any incorrect placards with those that correspond to the correct fuel tank capacity (AD/CESSNA 170/43, s.2-4). Under this AD, the primary obligation for the parties governed is to ensure that their aircraft comply with the requirements outlined within 100 hours of time in service after 31 May 1981 (AD/CESSNA 170/43, s.5). This involves a thorough inspection of all fuel-related placards and gauges to confirm they reflect the correct fuel capacities. Any discrepancies found must be rectified immediately to avoid potential issues with flight planning and fuel endurance. Operators are also expected to maintain records of compliance with this AD, including any changes made to the aircraft's placards (AD/CESSNA 170/43, s.5). Failure to comply with the AD/CESSNA 170/43 can result in severe consequences. The AD references FAA AD 81-05-01, Amendment 39-4049, indicating that non-compliance may lead to penalties, including fines and potential criminal charges. The exact penalties can vary, but under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, penalties for contravening ADs can include fines up to $22,200 for individuals and $111,000 for corporations, as well as imprisonment for up to five years for serious breaches (Civil Aviation Act 1988, s.46). Additionally, non-compliance may result in the grounding of the aircraft until the required corrections are made, impacting the operational readiness and safety of the aircraft.