COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 177 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 177/26
Amdt 1
Vented Fuel Caps 8/80
Applicability: Model 177 with S/Nos. 661, 17700001 to 17701471 and 17701473 to 17701597. Requirement: Install vented fuel cap(s) in accordance with Cessna SL No. SE77-6.
Note 1: FAA AD 79-10-14, Amendment 39-3475 refers.
Note 2: Installation of a placard is not an acceptable alternative to installation of vented fuel caps.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 August 1979 or before 1 January 1980 whichever is the later.
Background: To guard against the possibility of either an obstructed primary vent or sticking of the fuel tank vent valve it has been found necessary to provide secondary venting in the form of vented fuel caps. Due to some misinterpretation of this Directive a NOTE has now been added to disallow the fitting of a placard.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, were established to regulate and ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. One specific legislative instrument under this Act is the AD/CESSNA 177/26 Amendment 1, which addresses a critical safety concern for certain Cessna 177 series aeroplanes. This instrument was introduced to mitigate the risk of fuel tank-related issues, such as obstructed primary vents or sticking fuel tank vent valves, by mandating the installation of vented fuel caps. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's directive ensures compliance with safety standards and prevents potential hazards by requiring the installation of these caps within a specified timeframe. This legislative measure underscores the commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation, thereby protecting both the aircraft and its occupants.
The AD/CESSNA 177/26 Amendment 1, part of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, was enacted to address the specific problem of fuel tank safety in certain models of Cessna 177 series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument aims to ensure that vented fuel caps are installed to prevent issues such as obstructed primary vents or sticking fuel tank vent valves, which could pose significant safety risks. The directive clearly states that compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of the aircraft being in service after 31 August 1979 or before 1 January 1980, whichever is later. This regulation was put in place to uphold the stringent safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, thereby reinforcing the overall safety framework within the Australian civil aviation sector.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Cessna 177 Series Aeroplanes, including models with serial numbers within the specified range. This legislation mandates the installation of vented fuel caps on these aircraft to mitigate risks associated with obstructed primary vents or sticking fuel tank vent valves, as detailed in Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 177/26 Amendment 1. The requirement necessitates compliance within 100 hours of time in service following 31 August 1979, or before 1 January 1980, whichever is later. It is imperative that the installation aligns with Cessna Service Letter SE77-6, and it is explicitly stated that placards are not acceptable substitutes for the vented fuel caps. This directive ensures that affected aircraft maintain safety standards by implementing secondary venting mechanisms as specified.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the installation of vented fuel caps on certain Cessna 177 series aeroplanes. This is detailed in AD/CESSNA 177/26 Amendment 1, which focuses on the installation of vented fuel caps (section 1). The directive applies to Model 177 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 661, 17700001 to 17701471, and 17701473 to 17701597 (section 2). The requirement is to install the vented fuel caps as per Cessna Service Letter SE77-6. This directive references FAA AD 79-10-14, Amendment 39-3475, for additional details (section 3).
Entities governed by these regulations must ensure that the specified vented fuel caps are installed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1979, or before 1 January 1980, whichever is later (section 4). The installation must strictly adhere to the specifications outlined in Cessna Service Letter SE77-6, and it is explicitly stated that the installation of a placard is not an acceptable alternative to the installation of vented fuel caps (section 5). This requirement is crucial to prevent issues such as obstructed primary vents or sticking of the fuel tank vent valve, thereby enhancing the aeroplane’s safety.
Failure to comply with the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in relation to the installation of vented fuel caps, may result in various civil and criminal consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the excerpt, non-compliance with aviation safety directives generally could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions may include fines, operational restrictions, or even grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. In severe cases, non-compliance could result in criminal charges against individuals or entities responsible for the oversight of the aircraft. Therefore, adherence to these regulations is not only mandatory but also essential for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft.