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 170/54 Aircraft Repair 3/91
Applicability: All aircraft which have been repaired by Capricorn Aircraft Repair of Thangool, QLD., between 2 December 1985 and 29 November 1990.
Requirement: Inspect the aircraft and determine whether previous repairs carried out by Capricorn Aircraft Repair are supported by approved data, and where approved, that the replacement components used in the repair are identical to the components they replaced or are approved as replacement components.
Note 1. Aircraft found not to have been repaired to approved data or to contain non identical or non approved components will be required to have any deficiencies rectified prior to further flight.
Note 2. The Authority is to be advised of any aircraft inspected as a result of this directive.
Compliance: At the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release after 21 March 1991.
Background: An inspection of aircraft repaired by Capricorn Aircraft Repair has revealed discrepancies in both structural repair data and replacement components.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, form a comprehensive regulatory framework for civil aviation safety, including the issuance of airworthiness directives to ensure that aircraft are maintained to high safety standards. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 170/54, addresses a specific issue related to the repair of certain Cessna aircraft series by Capricorn Aircraft Repair, a company operating in Thangool, Queensland, between 1985 and 1990. This directive was introduced to address concerns that discrepancies in repair data and the use of non-identical or non-approved components could compromise the safety of the aircraft. The policy objective is to ensure that any aircraft found to be lacking in compliance with approved repair data or containing non-compliant components are identified and rectified before further flight, thereby maintaining the high safety standards required in civil aviation.
This directive applies to all Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172, and 175 series aeroplanes that underwent repairs by Capricorn Aircraft Repair during the specified period. It mandates an inspection to ascertain that any repairs performed are supported by approved data and that any replacement components used are either identical to the originals or approved as suitable replacements. Any deficiencies identified must be rectified before the aircraft can be cleared for further flight. Additionally, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority must be informed of any inspections conducted pursuant to this directive to ensure regulatory compliance and oversight.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which includes the Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172 and 175 Series Aeroplanes Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 170/54, applies to any aircraft repaired by Capricorn Aircraft Repair of Thangool, Queensland, within the timeframe of 2 December 1985 to 29 November 1990. This regulation mandates that these aircraft must undergo inspection to ascertain if the repairs were conducted in accordance with approved data and whether the replacement components used are either identical to the original components or approved as suitable replacements. Aircraft that do not meet these criteria must have any deficiencies rectified before further flight. Additionally, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority must be notified of any inspections conducted pursuant to this directive. Compliance with these requirements is mandated at the next scheduled maintenance inspection following 21 March 1991. This directive arises from findings of discrepancies in repair data and components used in aircraft repaired by Capricorn Aircraft Repair during the specified period.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, mandate inspections for certain Cessna series aeroplanes (sections 170, 172, F172, FR172, and 175) that were repaired by Capricorn Aircraft Repair between 2 December 1985 and 29 November 1990. According to AD/CESSNA 170/54, these aircraft must undergo inspection to ensure that the repairs made by Capricorn Aircraft Repair were supported by approved data, and that the replacement components used are either identical to the original components or approved as replacements. Any aircraft that were found not to comply with these requirements must have their deficiencies rectified before further flight.
The obligations imposed by these regulations are clear: aircraft owners, operators, and repair facilities must ensure that any repairs carried out by Capricorn Aircraft Repair within the specified timeframe are inspected and verified against the approved data and component specifications. The compliance deadline is set for the next scheduled inspection for a Maintenance Release after 21 March 1991. Additionally, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority must be notified of any aircraft inspected under this directive.
Failure to comply with the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in significant consequences. Any aircraft found not to meet the requirements for approved repair data and component specifications will be subject to corrective actions before further flight. The regulations do not specify a particular penalty, but non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. These actions could include grounding the aircraft, requiring additional inspections, or imposing fines. The exact penalties would depend on the severity of the non-compliance and the discretion of the regulatory body. It is essential for all parties involved to adhere to these requirements to maintain the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft.