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 170/52 Muffler 3/86
Applicability: Cessna aircraft S/N 172RG 1135 to 172RG 1187.
Requirement: Inspect muffler core below each end plate attachment screw for damage in accordance with Cessna SB No SEB85-17.
Compliance: Prior to issue of Certificate of Airworthiness.
Background: A possibility exists that holes may have been drilled through the muffler allowing exhaust gases into the cabin during cabin heat operation.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CIV) were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. Part 39 of these regulations includes Airworthiness Directives (AD) aimed at maintaining the airworthiness of specific aircraft types, such as the Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172, and 175 series aeroplanes. The AD/CESSNA 170/52, issued in March 1986, specifically addresses the potential risk of holes being drilled in the mufflers of certain Cessna aircraft, which could allow exhaust gases to enter the cabin during cabin heat operation. This directive was introduced to mitigate such safety risks by requiring inspections to ensure the integrity of the muffler cores, thereby protecting passengers and crew from hazardous conditions. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) oversees the compliance with these directives to ensure adherence to the highest safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, encompass a comprehensive framework designed to ensure the safety and regulation of civil aviation within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, with AD/CESSNA 170/52 focusing on the inspection and maintenance of mufflers in certain Cessna aircraft series. This directive applies to aircraft within the specified serial number range of 172RG 1135 to 172RG 1187, requiring an inspection of the muffler core below each end plate attachment screw for any damage, as outlined in Cessna Service Bulletin SEB85-17. The purpose of this directive is to mitigate the risk of holes in the muffler that could allow exhaust gases to enter the cabin during cabin heat operation, thus ensuring compliance with airworthiness standards before a Certificate of Airworthiness is issued. The regulation's application is limited to the specified serial numbers of the mentioned Cessna models, and compliance is mandatory to maintain the safety and operational integrity of these aircraft.
Key Provisions
The primary operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, detail specific requirements and procedures for ensuring the safety of certain aircraft models. Section 39.105 sets out the general framework for airworthiness directives, while AD/CESSNA 170/52 specifically addresses the inspection requirements for the muffler core of certain Cessna aircraft models, including the Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172 and 175 Series Aeroplanes. This particular directive applies to aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 172RG 1135 to 172RG 1187.
The regulations mandate that the muffler core below each end plate attachment screw must be inspected for damage, following the guidelines provided in Cessna Service Bulletin No SEB85-17. This inspection must be conducted prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Airworthiness. The purpose of this directive is to address the potential risk that holes may have been drilled through the muffler, which could allow exhaust gases to enter the cabin when the cabin heat is in operation, thereby posing a significant safety hazard.
The obligations imposed by these regulations are clear and stringent. Aircraft operators and owners must ensure that the specified inspections are conducted by qualified personnel in accordance with the detailed procedures outlined in the referenced service bulletin. The onus is on the operator to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft by adhering to these specific requirements, thereby ensuring compliance with safety standards set forth by CASA.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive could result in severe consequences. If an operator fails to inspect the muffler core as required, the aircraft may not meet the necessary safety standards to be granted a Certificate of Airworthiness. Additionally, any breach of these regulations could lead to enforcement actions by CASA, which may include fines, penalties, and potentially the grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections are satisfactorily completed. The exact penalties for non-compliance are not explicitly stated in the provided text, but they are likely to be significant, reflecting the critical nature of the safety measures outlined in the directive.