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 170/9
Amdt 1
Main Undercarriage “U” Bolts 11/67
Applicability: All 172, F172, FR172 and 175 series fitted with “U” bolts P/N 0541153.
Requirement: 1. Visual: Inspect the main undercarriage “U” bolts P/N 0541153 type in situ for cracks or other damage and check that the “U” bolt retaining nuts are torqued to the values specified in the Cessna Service Manual.
2. Magnetic Particle: Remove the main undercarriage “U” bolts P/N 0541153 type and inspect by the magnetic particle method for cracks particularly in the radius of bends and in the root of the threads.
Compliance: Visual: At intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service.
Magnetic Particle: At intervals not exceeding 500 hours time in service.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia, and they were introduced to fill the need for comprehensive regulation in this area. The regulations are overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and are part of a broader framework designed to maintain the highest standards of safety within the aviation industry. The policy objective behind these regulations is to ensure the safety of aircraft and passengers by setting out mandatory safety standards and procedures, including the issuance of airworthiness directives to address specific safety concerns. One such directive pertains to the Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172 and 175 series aeroplanes, specifically focusing on the inspection and maintenance of main undercarriage “U” bolts to prevent structural failure and ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and applies to certain aircraft models. This particular legislative instrument, AD/CESSNA 170/9 Amendment 1, targets Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172, and 175 series aeroplanes that are equipped with “U” bolts part number 0541153. The regulation mandates specific inspections and maintenance procedures to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft. The inspection requirements include a visual inspection of the “U” bolts in situ for any signs of cracks or damage, and verification that the retaining nuts are torqued to the specified values outlined in the Cessna Service Manual. Additionally, a magnetic particle inspection is required after the “U” bolts are removed, focusing on detecting cracks, especially in the bends and thread roots. Compliance with these inspections is stipulated at intervals not exceeding 100 hours for visual checks and not exceeding 500 hours for magnetic particle inspections. These directives are applicable nationally within Australia, administered by CASA, and their enforcement ensures safety standards are maintained across the aviation industry for these particular aircraft models.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, include specific provisions for the Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172 and 175 Series Aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 170/9 Amendment 1, pertains to the main undercarriage “U” bolts with part number 0541153. The directive applies to all 172, F172, FR172 and 175 series aircraft equipped with these particular “U” bolts (11/67 Applicability). The main requirement of this directive is twofold: first, a visual inspection of the main undercarriage “U” bolts to detect any cracks or damage, and to ensure the retaining nuts are torqued to the specified values outlined in the Cessna Service Manual (Requirement 1). Second, a magnetic particle inspection of the removed “U” bolts, focusing on detecting cracks, especially in the bend radius and at the root of the threads (Requirement 2).
Compliance with these requirements is crucial for maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft. For the visual inspection, the main undercarriage “U” bolts must be examined at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service (Compliance: Visual). For the magnetic particle inspection, the examination must occur at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service (Compliance: Magnetic Particle). These intervals ensure regular maintenance and prompt detection of any potential issues that could compromise the safety of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with these directives can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 172 mandate strict adherence to these safety measures. Any non-compliance with the airworthiness directives can result in significant civil or criminal penalties. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, it is understood that breaches of these safety regulations can lead to enforcement actions, which may include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft operation permits, and potentially criminal charges if the breach results in harm or endangers public safety. The severity of the penalties reflects the importance of these regulations in maintaining the high safety standards required in civil aviation.