AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 180/15 Amdt 3 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 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.
Cessna 180, 182 and Wren 460 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 180/15
Amdt 4
Rear Spar 8/2004
Applicability: All models except those with rear spars P/Nos. 0523400-90 L.H. and -91 R.H.; 0523400-111 L.H. and -112 R.H.; 0726014-1 L.H. and 0726014-2 R.H.
Note 1: Restart series Cessna 182s have rear spars part numbers 0726014-1 L.H. and 0726014-2 R.H.
Requirement: 1. Modify the rear spar root, of the left and right mainplanes on all aeroplanes engaged in agricultural operations in accordance with Rex Aviation Drawing RA- 491 or an alternative scheme approved by the Secretary.
2. Inspect the mainplane rear spar web for fatigue cracks in the root area. These cracks originate in the radius which is located under the attachment fittings. This inspection shall be carried out using a magnifying glass of at least 4X’ magnification or alternatively a device such as the “Syte Ade” may be employed.
3. Inspect the upper flange of the rear spar channel at the outer end of the attachment fitting. This can be done via the flap bay inner inspection panel.
Since the trailing edge root end fits closely to the spar, it may be difficult to detect possible cracks, therefore when doubt exists the trailing edge root end rib shall be removed for more detailed inspection.
Note 2: The affected area is illustrated in Rex Aviation Technical Memorandum No. 12 dated 10 May 1960.
Compliance: Para. 1 - Unless already accomplished, before further flight after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive.
Paras. 2 and 3 - Aeroplanes modified to Rex Aviation Drawing RA-491 - at intervals not exceeding 500 hours time in service.
For all other aeroplanes: at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service. This Amendment becomes effective on 5 August 2004.
Cessna 180, 182 and Wren 460 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 180/15 Amdt 4 (continued)
Background: Amendment 4 has been issued to remove the requirement for Restart series Cessna 182 aircraft to comply with this directive. Restart series C182s have a different part number rear spar to the original models.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 21 June 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 July 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 180/15 Amdt 4 in 2004 to address safety concerns identified in certain Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 series aeroplanes. This amendment specifically removes the requirement for Restart series Cessna 182 aircraft to comply with the directive due to differences in the rear spar part numbers. The CASA delegate, David Villiers, issued this directive under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. The directive mandates modifications and inspections to ensure the airworthiness of the affected aircraft engaged in agricultural operations, aiming to correct unsafe conditions and maintain compliance with safety standards.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive applies to all models of the Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 series aeroplanes except those equipped with specific rear spar part numbers, which include 0523400-90 L.H. and -91 R.H.; 0523400-111 L.H. and -112 R.H.; and 0726014-1 L.H. and 0726014-2 R.H. The directive specifically targets aeroplanes engaged in agricultural operations, mandating modifications and inspections to ensure airworthiness. The directive is issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The geographic reach of this directive is the Commonwealth of Australia, as it is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. The AD specifies modifications to the rear spar root, inspections for fatigue cracks, and additional inspections of the rear spar web and upper flange. Compliance with the directive is required before further flight after the effective date, with differing intervals for modified and unmodified aeroplanes. The AD was effective from 5 August 2004, and its application extends to ensuring that all applicable aeroplanes meet the specified safety standards to prevent unsafe conditions.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 180/15 Amdt 4 specifies actions required for maintaining the airworthiness of certain Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 series aeroplanes, except those with specific rear spar part numbers (s. 1). This AD mandates modifications to the rear spar root of the left and right mainplanes on aeroplanes used for agricultural operations, either according to Rex Aviation Drawing RA-491 or an approved alternative scheme (s. 1(1)). Additionally, it requires inspections of the mainplane rear spar web for fatigue cracks in the root area, using a magnifying glass or a suitable device (s. 1(2)). Another requirement is the inspection of the upper flange of the rear spar channel at the outer end of the attachment fitting, which may necessitate the removal of the trailing edge root end rib for a detailed inspection if cracks are suspected (s. 1(3)).
The AD imposes obligations on the operators and owners of the affected aeroplanes to ensure that the specified modifications and inspections are carried out (s. 2). Operators must modify the rear spar root before further flight after the AD's effective date if the modification has not already been completed (s. 2(1)). For aeroplanes modified to Rex Aviation Drawing RA-491, inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service (s. 2(2)). For all other aeroplanes, inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service (s. 2(3)).
Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD can result in serious safety issues, as the directive is designed to address unsafe conditions that could potentially compromise the structural integrity of the aeroplanes (s. 3). While specific penalties are not detailed in the AD, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which might include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory penalties as deemed necessary to ensure compliance and maintain safety standards (s. 3).