AD/CESSNA 180/44 - Wing Flap Actuator Ball Nut Assemblies

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, outlines various directives to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australian airspace. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 180/44, addresses the inspection and potential replacement of wing flap actuator ball nut assemblies in certain Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 series aeroplanes. Enacted to tackle the issue of potential mechanical failure in these aircraft components, this directive was introduced to mitigate risks associated with the specified wing flap actuators. It was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, an agency under the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, with a clear policy objective of ensuring the highest standards of aviation safety. The directive requires compliance by specific dates and time intervals to prevent hazardous conditions and ensure the continued safe operation of these aircraft within the Australian aviation environment.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/CESSNA 180/44, pertains to certain models of Cessna aeroplanes, namely the 180, 182, and Wren 460 series, with a particular focus on the wing flap actuator ball nut assemblies. This directive applies to Model 182 aeroplanes with serial numbers as detailed in Cessna SL SE76-25. The regulation mandates that operators and owners of these aeroplanes must inspect the P/N C301002-0101 wing flap actuator for a date stamp code as specified in Cessna SL SE76-25. If the identified date stamp code matches any of OH, HH, WH, or ZH, a placard must be installed near the flap control indicating "FLAP EXTENSION PROHIBITED". This placard can be removed once the subsequent requirements are fulfilled. Furthermore, affected wing flap actuator ball nut assemblies must be replaced in accordance with the guidelines set out in Cessna SL SE76-25. Compliance with the inspection and placard requirements must be achieved before any further flight after 28 January 1977, while the replacement of the affected assemblies must be completed within 100 hours of time in service following the same date. This directive is part of the broader framework under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which are administered at the Commonwealth level, thus exerting a national jurisdictional reach.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, contain provisions for the maintenance and operation of certain Cessna aircraft models. The regulation in question, AD/CESSNA 180/44, pertains to the inspection and replacement of wing flap actuator ball nut assemblies on Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 series aeroplanes (1). The directive applies to Model 182 aircraft with serial numbers specified in Cessna SL SE76-25 (1). The key requirements outlined in this directive are straightforward. Firstly, it mandates that the P/N C301002-0101 wing flap actuator must be inspected for a date stamp code as detailed in Cessna SL SE76-25 (1). If the date stamp code on the actuator is OH, HH, WH, or ZH, a placard must be installed near the flap control, prohibiting flap extension (2). This placard can be removed once the third requirement of the directive is met (2). Finally, the affected wing flap actuator ball nut assemblies must be replaced in accordance with Cessna SL SE76-25 (3). Compliance with these provisions is critical for the safe operation of the affected aircraft. Paragraphs 1 and 2 must be adhered to before any further flight after 28 January 1977 (4). Paragraph 3, concerning the replacement of the wing flap actuator ball nut assemblies, must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after the same date (4). Failure to comply with these directives can lead to serious safety issues and legal repercussions. The Civil Aviation Regulations impose significant obligations on the operators and maintenance personnel of the specified Cessna aircraft. It is their responsibility to ensure that the required inspections and replacements are carried out correctly and in a timely manner. The directive provides clear timelines and specific actions that must be taken to maintain the airworthiness of these aircraft. Non-compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations can lead to serious consequences. While the specific penalties for breaching these regulations are not detailed in the provided text, under general civil aviation law, breaches can result in civil penalties, including fines, as well as criminal charges in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. These penalties can be severe, reflecting the critical importance of adhering to airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew on board.