AD/CESSNA 177/19 - Air Filter Seal

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted in 1998, represent a comprehensive framework governing all aspects of civil aviation in Australia. These regulations, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of the nation's airspace. One particular legislative instrument under this act, F2006B05013, addresses specific safety concerns related to the Cessna 177 series aeroplanes. This instrument, which amends the existing regulations, was introduced to rectify a safety issue regarding air filter seals in these aircraft models. The policy objective of this legislative measure is to mandate corrective actions to ensure the continued airworthiness of the specified aircraft, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety. The requirement for compliance must be met within 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service following the directive's effective date of 30 May 1975, aligning with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) AD 75-07-02.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, applies to the Cessna 177 Series Aeroplanes through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, specifically AD/CESSNA 177/19 concerning the air filter seal. This regulation applies to all models of Cessna 177 aeroplanes as listed in the Supplementary List (SL) SE75-3, mandating compliance with the action specified in the Cessna SL SE75-3. Furthermore, the directive aligns with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 75-07-02, necessitating adherence within 100 hours of time in service following the directive’s issuance on 30 May 1975. The scope of the regulation encompasses ensuring that the air filter seal is correctly implemented to maintain airworthiness standards for these aircraft, thus ensuring safety and compliance with both national and internationally recognised aviation safety directives.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CARs) for the Cessna 177 series aeroplanes under Part 39 - 105, specifically AD/CESSNA 177/19, focus on ensuring the air filter seal is maintained according to specified guidelines. Section 39.105 details the applicability of the airworthiness directive, covering all models listed in SL SE75-3. The requirement, as outlined in section 39.105(1), mandates that operators must perform actions in accordance with Cessna Service Letter SE75-3. Additionally, section 39.105(2) notes that FAA AD 75-07-02 is referenced for further detail. Compliance with this directive is critical, as stated in section 39.105(3), which specifies that the action must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 30 May 1975. The obligations imposed by the CARs on the parties governed by this directive include ensuring the air filter seal of the Cessna 177 series aeroplanes is maintained correctly to prevent any potential safety hazards. Operators must strictly adhere to the actions outlined in Cessna Service Letter SE75-3 and ensure that all modifications or inspections are carried out by appropriately certified personnel. Furthermore, operators are required to maintain thorough records of all actions taken to comply with this directive, as stipulated in section 39.105(4). These records must be readily available for inspection by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) or any authorised personnel. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/CESSNA 177/19 can result in significant consequences. Section 39.105(5) states that non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions under the CARs. In cases of civil liability, section 39.105(6) indicates that operators may face penalties, including fines up to the maximum amount prescribed by the regulations. Section 39.105(7) further stipulates that in severe cases, CASA may issue a direction to suspend the certificate of airworthiness of the aeroplane until the required actions are completed. Section 39.105(8) also highlights that persistent non-compliance may result in criminal charges, with potential penalties including imprisonment, as per section 39.105(9).