COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 177 Series Aeroplanes
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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.
AD/CESSNA 177/32 Fuel Strainer 7/2000
Applicability: Models 177, 177A, 177B, 177RG and F177RG series aircraft.
Requirement: 1. Inspect aircraft fuel strainer assembly. If P/N 0756005-2 top assembly, P/N 0756005-8 or 0756005-9 fuel strainer assembly were shipped from Cessna between December 12, 1996 and September 5, 1997, and fitted to the aircraft, measure the standby pipe in the fuel strainer assembly for a visible maximum length not exceeding 1.68 inches, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Cessna Single Engine Service Bulletin SEB97-9 dated November 17,1997.
The holder of a pilot licence, other than a student pilot, valid for the aircraft type, may review the aircraft records to determine if parts listed in this Directive have been fitted to the aircraft. If this review concludes that parts listed in this Directive have not been fitted then a certification stating that “This Directive does not apply as no parts listed in the Cessna SEB97-9 have been fitted to this aircraft.” may be entered in the aircraft records.
2. Replace the filter strainer top assembly if the standpipe tube exceeds the specified measurement.
Note: FAA AD 2000-06-01 Amendment 39-11641 refers.
Compliance: 1. Unless previously accomplished, within 12 calendar months time in service from the effective date of this Directive.
2. Prior to further flight.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 13 July 2000.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Background: This Directive applies to aircraft that have been fitted with Cessna P/N 0756005-2 top assembly, Cessna P/N 0756005-8 fuel strainer assembly or Cessna P/N 0756005-9 fuel strainer assembly shipped from Cessna between December 12, 1996 and September 5, 1997. Reports indicate that fuel strainer assemblies may have been manufactured with the fuel standpipes incorrectly installed in the assembly housing top which could allow foreign material to enter the engine fuel system resulting in loss of engine power or complete engine stoppage in flight.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 2 June 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 June 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), which were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia, include provisions for the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). One such AD is AD/CESSNA 177/32, issued on 7 July 2000, which applies to Cessna 177 series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address a safety issue where certain fuel strainer assemblies manufactured between December 12, 1996, and September 5, 1997, had the potential to allow foreign material to enter the engine fuel system, which could lead to loss of engine power or complete engine stoppage during flight. The policy objective of this AD is to ensure that these aircraft are safe to operate by mandating inspections and, if necessary, the replacement of the fuel strainer assemblies.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Cessna 177 Series aeroplanes, namely models 177, 177A, 177B, 177RG, and F177RG, that have been fitted with certain fuel strainer assemblies shipped between December 12, 1996, and September 5, 1997. The directive mandates an inspection and, if necessary, the replacement of the fuel strainer top assembly if it does not meet the specified measurements to prevent the risk of foreign material entering the engine fuel system. The AD is applicable nationwide and applies to both private and commercial operators of the specified aircraft models. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, and it must be completed within 12 months from the effective date of the directive or before further flight. Exemptions from this directive are limited, and primarily apply to aircraft that have already had the corrective action performed or where it has been verified that the affected parts were not fitted to the aircraft. The directive may be further extended or amended through subordinate instruments, but as currently notified, it stands as a critical safety measure to mitigate the risk of in-flight engine failure due to fuel strainer defects.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR) under PART 39 - 105 outline specific requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft, with the Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the Cessna 177 Series Aeroplanes being a key example. Specifically, AD/CESSNA 177/32 (paragraph 1) mandates that the fuel strainer assembly of certain Cessna 177 series aircraft must be inspected and, if certain conditions are met, replaced. The AD applies to models 177, 177A, 177B, 177RG, and F177RG series aircraft that were fitted with specific parts shipped from December 12, 1996, to September 5, 1997. The requirement is to measure the standby pipe in the fuel strainer assembly, and if it exceeds the specified maximum length of 1.68 inches, the filter strainer top assembly must be replaced as per the instructions in Cessna Single Engine Service Bulletin SEB97-9 dated November 17, 1997. Compliance with these directives is necessary either within 12 calendar months from the effective date of the AD or before further flight, whichever comes first.
Under this AD, the obligations imposed on the parties include ensuring that the specified inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the fuel strainer assembly is carried out meticulously. The holder of a pilot licence, other than a student pilot, valid for the aircraft type, must review the aircraft records to ascertain if the parts listed in this Directive have been fitted. If the review indicates that these parts have not been fitted, a certification stating that the Directive does not apply can be entered in the aircraft records. This process is intended to prevent the risk of foreign material entering the engine fuel system, which could lead to loss of engine power or complete engine stoppage in flight.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in severe consequences. The AD is legally enforceable, and non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Although specific penalties are not outlined in the text, non-compliance with ADs can generally lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. The severity of the penalty would depend on the circumstances of the breach and the potential risk posed to aviation safety. Given the potential for serious safety issues, including in-flight engine failure, it is crucial for all relevant parties to adhere strictly to the requirements of this AD.