COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 170/59 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172 & 175 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 170/59
Amdt 1
Horizontal Stabiliser Front Spar 3/2001
Applicability: All Model 172 and 175 series aircraft, all Reims Model F172 and FR172 series aircraft; except Models 172R & 172S, and subsequent.
Requirement: Visually inspect the horizontal stabiliser front spar for cracking in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin SEB94-8.
Compliance: At intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service.
This amendment becomes effective on 22 March 2001.
Background: A number of instances of cracking of the horizontal stabiliser front spar have been reported. In July 1984 the Authority issued AAC 153-2 highlighting the problem. The most likely cause was incorrect ground handling; pushing down on the stabiliser to lift the nose wheel. However cracks continue to be reported and in one instance the spar was reported to have been completely severed. Reports have also been received of cracking of modified and reinforced spars, Cessna P/N 0532001-98.
The intent of this Directive is not applicable to later Model 172 aircraft, and is amended accordingly.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 17 August 1995.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 24 January 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 21 February 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. The 1998 Regulations were introduced to address the need for a unified and robust set of rules governing civil aviation, replacing a number of previous regulations and directives. One of the key mechanisms within these Regulations is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs), which are regulatory instruments used to mandate specific actions to ensure that aircraft remain airworthy. The ADs are issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which acts as the delegate of the Australian Government in enforcing these safety measures. The policy objective behind these directives is to ensure that aircraft are maintained in a safe and airworthy condition, thereby protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of the national aviation system.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses safety concerns for specific aircraft models through Airworthiness Directives (AD). The particular AD/CESSNA 170/59 Amendment 1, effective from 22 March 2001, applies to all Cessna 172 and 175 series aircraft, as well as Reims Model F172 and FR172 series aircraft, with the exception of Models 172R and 172S and subsequent models. The directive mandates a visual inspection of the horizontal stabiliser front spar for signs of cracking in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin SEB94-8, with the inspections to be carried out at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of service time. This requirement stems from reported incidents of spar cracking, often attributed to improper ground handling practices, and aims to mitigate such risks by ensuring regular checks are performed to maintain the aircraft's airworthiness. This amendment is an example of how the Civil Aviation Safety Authority exercises its regulatory oversight to ensure safety within the aviation industry.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, details provisions concerning Airworthiness Directives (ADs) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This particular AD, AD/CESSNA 170/59 Amendment 1, pertains to the Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172 & 175 series aeroplanes. It mandates a visual inspection of the horizontal stabiliser front spar for any signs of cracking. This requirement is outlined in the 'requirement' section of the AD and applies to all Model 172 and 175 series aircraft, as well as all Reims Model F172 and FR172 series aircraft, excluding Models 172R & 172S, and subsequent models. The inspection must be carried out in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin SEB94-8.
The AD imposes obligations on aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to conduct the specified inspection at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. Failure to adhere to these requirements could lead to potential safety risks, as the AD was issued due to reported instances of horizontal stabiliser front spar cracking, which could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft. The AD became effective on 22 March 2001, replacing the original AD/CESSNA 170/59 issued on 17 August 1995. This revision narrows the applicability to exclude later model aircraft, addressing the specific concerns raised by the earlier directive.
In terms of legal consequences, any breach of the AD requirements can lead to enforcement actions by CASA. The AD is legally binding, and non-compliance could result in penalties as stipulated in the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations. The penalties may include fines or other civil or criminal sanctions depending on the severity of the breach. The specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the AD itself but are outlined in the broader regulatory framework governing aviation safety.