AD/CESSNA 177/11 Amdt 1 - Stabilator Attachment Angles

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. This legislation, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), aims to mitigate risks associated with aviation activities through the implementation of various directives and regulations. One such directive is AD/CESSNA 177/11, which was introduced to address specific safety concerns related to stabilator attachment angles in certain Cessna 177 Series Aeroplanes. The policy objective of this directive is to enhance the safety of aircraft operations by ensuring the structural integrity of the stabilator attachments, thereby reducing the risk of in-flight failures. This is achieved by mandating inspections and modifications to the stabilator attachments in applicable models and serial numbers, as detailed in the directive.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandate the issue of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for various aircraft models, including the Cessna 177 series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to specific serial numbers of the Cessna 177 and Cessna 177A models, namely those with serial numbers ranging from 17700001 to 17701164 for the Cessna 177 and from 17701165 to 17701370 for the Cessna 177A, provided they are not already fitted with Cessna Kit No. SK 177-11, as referenced in Cessna Service Bulletin SE70-32. The regulations are designed to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft through compliance with specific maintenance and modification requirements. Compliance with the ADs is mandatory and must be carried out within specified time intervals, ensuring that the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority are met throughout the operational life of the aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 and specifically AD/CESSNA 177/11 Amendment 1, pertains to the stabilator attachment angles for the Cessna 177 Series Aeroplanes. The regulation applies to Model 177 with serial numbers (S/Nos.) from 17700001 to 17701164 and Model 177A with S/Nos. from 17701165 to 17701370 that have not been fitted with Cessna Kit No. SK 177-11, as referenced in Cessna Service Bulletin SE70-32. The directive mandates two primary actions: first, the removal of the fuselage tail stinger to inspect the stabilator attachment angles (Part No. 1712108) for any cracking using a dye-penetrant inspection method (section 1). Second, it requires the modification of the stabilator attachments by fitting Cessna Kit No. SK 177-11 (section 2). These actions must be completed within specified timeframes: the inspection must occur within 50 hours of time in service after 29 January 1971 and then at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service thereafter. The fitting of the stabilator attachment modification kit must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 28 April 1972. The obligations imposed by these sections are clear and specific. Owners and operators of the affected Cessna 177 and 177A aircraft must ensure that the required inspections and modifications are conducted within the prescribed timeframes. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, thereby preventing it from being operated until the necessary actions are taken. The onus is on the aircraft owner or operator to maintain the stabilator attachment angles in accordance with the directive to ensure ongoing airworthiness and safety compliance. Failure to adhere to the requirements set out in these sections may lead to serious consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can generally result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions can include fines, the suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potentially criminal charges for serious breaches. The severity of the penalties may depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, as well as any resulting safety risks or incidents. Therefore, it is imperative for all parties involved to strictly follow the stipulated requirements to avoid any legal repercussions.