AD/CESSNA 180/30 - Aileron Control Tube and Automatic Pilot Roll Servo

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to regulate civil aviation within Australia and ensure the safe operation of aircraft. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 addresses the airworthiness directives, which are mandatory orders issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure aircraft safety. This particular legislative instrument, AD/CESSNA 180/30, pertains to the Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 series aeroplanes, targeting the aileron control tube and automatic pilot roll servo. The aim of this directive is to address a known issue with the aileron control tube and automatic pilot roll servo in certain Cessna models to prevent potential safety hazards. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, requiring actions in accordance with Edo-Aire Mitchell Service Bulletin MB-6 within 25 hours of the aircraft being in service after 25 February 1972. This requirement is critical to maintaining the airworthiness of these aircraft models and ensuring continued safety in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically addresses the safety directives applicable to certain Cessna aircraft models, namely the 180, 182, and Wren 460 series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to the models 182E, 182F, 182G, and 182H when they are fitted with particular Mitchell Automatic Pilot models, excluding those modified to comply with the Edo-Aire Mitchell Service Letter ML32. The directive mandates adherence to the action specified in the Edo-Aire Mitchell Service Bulletin MB-6, with reference to FAA AD 72-2-6. Compliance with these regulations is required within 25 hours of the aeroplanes' time in service after 25 February 1972. This regulation is enforced nationally across Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and applies to the specified aircraft regardless of their location within the country. The scope of the legislation is precise, targeting specific aircraft models and configurations, and ensuring the application of certain safety directives to maintain airworthiness standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, address the safety directives for certain Cessna aeroplanes. Section AD/CESSNA 180/30 focuses on the aileron control tube and automatic pilot roll servo for the Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 series aeroplanes. This section applies to models 182E, 182F, 182G, and 182H equipped with Mitchell Automatic Pilots, excluding those modified to Edo-Aire Mitchell Service Letter ML32. The requirement here is that action must be taken in accordance with the Edo-Aire Mitchell Service Bulletin MB-6. This is a direct reference to FAA AD 72-2-6, indicating the need to follow specific maintenance and modification procedures to ensure the safety and compliance of the aircraft in question. The obligations imposed by this regulation are primarily on the operators and maintenance personnel of the affected Cessna aeroplanes. They must ensure that the aileron control tube and automatic pilot roll servo are inspected and modified if necessary, in line with the specifications and instructions provided in the Edo-Aire Mitchell Service Bulletin MB-6. This involves detailed technical work that may include replacing parts, making adjustments, or conducting thorough inspections to verify that the aircraft meets the required safety standards. Operators must maintain records of all actions taken and ensure that the aircraft is not flown until the required modifications and checks have been completed and verified by a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer. Breaches of these safety directives can lead to serious consequences, both civil and criminal. Non-compliance with the AD/CESSNA 180/30 provisions can result in the aircraft being deemed airworthy, leading to potential safety hazards. This can attract significant penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. For example, failure to comply with airworthiness directives can result in fines of up to $100,000 for individuals and $500,000 for corporations. Additionally, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can impose other penalties, such as grounding the aircraft, which can have severe operational and financial repercussions for the operator. Furthermore, severe cases may lead to criminal charges, resulting in imprisonment for individuals found guilty of operating an aircraft in a manner that contravenes the regulations.