AD/CESSNA 180/41 - Beryl Aviation Filtrator Assembly

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, is a pivotal piece of legislation in Australia, enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation. The regulations, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), are designed to provide a comprehensive framework for the regulation of civil aviation activities within Australia. The primary objective of these regulations is to ensure that all civil aviation operations meet the highest safety standards, thereby protecting the public and promoting the safe and orderly development of civil aviation. These regulations address gaps in aviation safety by establishing detailed requirements for aircraft maintenance, pilot qualifications, airworthiness standards, and operational procedures. By doing so, they aim to mitigate risks associated with civil aviation activities and ensure that all stakeholders, including operators, pilots, and passengers, are protected. The specific legislative instrument in focus, F2006B05054, pertains to Airworthiness Directives for certain Cessna aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address specific safety concerns related to the Beryl Aviation filtrator assembly in Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 series aeroplanes. The directive mandates the removal of a particular Beryl Aviation filtrator assembly and its replacement with either a P/N B-1114-M or P/N B-1114-RM assembly. This change is required for models 182, 182A, 182B, 182C, 182D, 182E, 182F, 182G, 182H, 182J, 182K, 182L, 182M, 182N, and 182P series aeroplanes that have undergone specific modifications as per FAA Supplemental Type Certificate No. SA 2653WE. The directive was issued to ensure compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 April 1975, reflecting the policy objective of maintaining stringent safety standards in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes directives for various aircraft models, such as the Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 Series Aeroplanes. This regulation applies to all models within the specified series that have undergone modifications consistent with FAA Supplemental Type Certificate No. SA 2653WE, namely the installation of an engine crankcase breather and vacuum pump air-oil separator. The directive mandates the removal of the Beryl Aviation filtrator assembly P/N B-1114-1 and the installation of either P/N B-1114-M or P/N B-1114-RM. Compliance is required within 100 hours of time in service following 30 April 1975, and this requirement is cross-referenced with FAA AD No. 75-05-02. The regulation has a national reach and applies to the relevant aircraft models and their operators within Australia. The Act does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, and compliance is mandatory for the specified modifications to maintain airworthiness standards.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) are contained within the specific Airworthiness Directives (ADs). For the Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 series aeroplanes, AD/CESSNA 180/41 mandates the replacement of the Beryl Aviation filtrator assembly. Section (4/75) outlines the applicability to certain Cessna 182 series models that have been modified under FAA Supplemental Type Certificate No. SA 2653WE. The requirement is clear: operators must remove the Beryl Aviation filtrator assembly P/N B-1114-1 and replace it with either P/N B-1114-M or P/N B-1114-RM. This directive is essential to ensure compliance with safety standards and must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 30 April 1975. The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved, primarily on aircraft operators. These obligations include conducting a thorough inspection of the relevant aircraft models to determine if they fall within the scope of the AD. If they do, operators must remove the specified Beryl Aviation filtrator assembly and install the appropriate replacement part. The directive necessitates that operators maintain accurate records of the modifications and ensure that all changes comply with the specified requirements and timeframe. Additionally, operators are responsible for ensuring that the aircraft is not flown until the required modifications have been completed and the aircraft has been approved by a certified maintenance organisation. Failure to comply with the AD may result in significant legal consequences. Section (4/75) explicitly states that non-compliance could lead to the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially resulting in the suspension or revocation of the aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness. This, in turn, could prevent the aircraft from being operated legally. Furthermore, operators who fail to adhere to the AD may face administrative penalties, including fines and other enforcement actions taken by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). While specific penalties are not detailed in the extract, regulatory breaches can lead to substantial financial and operational repercussions for non-compliant operators. In summary, the AD/CESSNA 180/41 requires specific modifications to certain Cessna 182 series aircraft within a defined timeframe. Operators must ensure that these modifications are carried out accurately and in compliance with the regulations. Non-compliance not only risks the airworthiness of the aircraft but also exposes operators to potential penalties and enforcement actions. Therefore, it is imperative for operators to adhere strictly to the provisions set out in this directive to maintain the safety and legality of their operations.