COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 180, 182 and Wren 460 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 180/58 Fuel Tank Filler Neck 9/79
Applicability: Model 180 with S/Nos. 18053002 to 53006, 53008 to 53010, 53012, 53013, 53015
and 53017.
Model 182 with S/Nos. 18266591to 66715, except those S/Nos. omitted as per Cessna SIL No. 79-33.
Model R182 with S/Nos. R18200585 to 00803 except those S/Nos. omitted as per Cessna SIL No. SE79-33.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Cessna SIL No. SE79-33. Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 September 1979.
Background: Certain 1979 model 180, 182 and R182 aircraft fuel tanks may have been fitted with incorrect filler neck assemblies during manufacture. As the filler necks form fuel level indicators it is essential for flight planning purposes that a neck of correct length is fitted.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, establish comprehensive regulations to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This legislation, particularly in Part 39 - 105, focuses on issuing Airworthiness Directives to address specific safety issues identified in certain aircraft models. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 180/58, pertains to the fuel tank filler necks of Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the problem of potentially incorrect filler neck assemblies being fitted to certain 1979 model aircraft during manufacture, which could impact the accuracy of fuel level indicators and consequently affect flight planning and safety. Compliance with this directive is mandatory within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1979, requiring corrective action as specified in Cessna SIL No. SE79-33 to ensure the aircraft meet necessary safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, under the legislative instrument F2006B05071, apply specifically to certain models of Cessna 180, 182, and R182 aircraft identified by their serial numbers. The regulation mandates corrective action regarding the fuel tank filler necks for these models to ensure airworthiness and safety. The regulation applies to aircraft with specific serial numbers and requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1979. This directive is crucial as the fuel tank filler necks also serve as fuel level indicators, making their correct installation essential for accurate flight planning. The regulation’s applicability is confined to the specified serial numbers, and compliance must be achieved in accordance with Cessna SIL No. SE79-33. The regulation extends its reach to ensure that the specified aircraft models meet safety standards, thereby safeguarding the aviation industry and passengers.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, mandate the implementation of Airworthiness Directives for certain Cessna aeroplane models. This particular directive, AD/CESSNA 180/58, pertains to the fuel tank filler necks of Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 series aeroplanes. The directive applies to specific serial numbers of the Model 180, Model 182, and Model R182, as outlined in the legislation (Part 39, Section 105). The directive requires that the fuel tank filler necks be replaced or modified in accordance with Cessna Service Information Letter (SIL) No. SE79-33 to ensure the correct length of the filler neck, which is crucial for accurate fuel level indication and flight planning.
Operators of the specified Cessna aircraft must ensure compliance with this directive. They must verify that the fuel tank filler necks are correctly installed within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1979. This requirement is aimed at rectifying any discrepancies in the filler neck length that may have occurred during the manufacturing process. Non-compliance with this directive could potentially lead to inaccuracies in fuel level readings, which could compromise flight safety and operational efficiency.
Failure to adhere to the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can result in severe consequences. Under Part 39, Section 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance may be considered a breach of the regulations, leading to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The penalties for such breaches can include fines and other regulatory actions, as stipulated by the Civil Aviation Act 1988. In extreme cases, CASA may also suspend or revoke the aircraft's airworthiness certificate, which would prevent the aircraft from being operated until the issue is rectified.
The directive underscores the importance of precise adherence to manufacturer guidelines and regulatory requirements to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Operators are thus obligated to ensure that the specified modifications are carried out by qualified personnel and that the necessary documentation is maintained to demonstrate compliance. This ensures that the aircraft meet the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.