AD/CESSNA 180/59 Amdt 1 - Alternator Ground Strap

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Legislative instrument F2006B05072, specifically address safety concerns related to the Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 Series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Australian Parliament, this legislation aims to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft models by introducing directives that address specific maintenance issues. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 180/59 Amendment 1, pertains to the alternator ground strap and applies to certain serial number ranges of the aforementioned aeroplanes. The primary objective of this directive is to mandate compliance with the Cessna SIL SE79-59 and to ensure that ground straps are not omitted during engine reinstallation, thereby mitigating potential safety risks identified in industry reports. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. By addressing specific maintenance issues through airworthiness directives, such as the one outlined in the Legislative instrument F2006B05072, the regulations aim to maintain high safety standards and protect the public from aviation-related hazards. This particular amendment responds to industry feedback highlighting the importance of consistent ground strap installation during engine refits, underscoring the commitment to continuous improvement in aviation safety protocols.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, mandate the application of Airworthiness Directives (AD) for ensuring the safety of aircraft. AD/CESSNA 180/59 Amendment 1 pertains to the Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 series aeroplanes, focusing on the alternator ground strap. The directive applies to all Cessna 180 models with serial numbers ranging from 18051762 to 18052981, excluding 18052975, as well as to models 182, A182, and F182 with specific serial number ranges, including A1820001 to A1820146 and F18200001 to F18200094. The requirement stipulates that corrective action must be taken in accordance with Cessna SIL SE79-59, with an additional compliance condition added to ensure the ground strap is reinstalled each time an engine is replaced following initial compliance. This requirement was introduced due to industry reports indicating that the ground straps were often omitted during engine reinstallation. Compliance with these directives is crucial, with actions mandated within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1982 and each time an engine is installed in an aircraft post-initial compliance.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically in Section 105, address the airworthiness directives for the Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 Series aeroplanes, with a focus on Amendment 1 concerning the alternator ground strap. This directive, identified as AD/CESSNA 180/59, applies to all Cessna model 180 with serial numbers ranging from 18051762 to 18052981, excluding 18052975, and all models 182/A182/F182 with serial numbers from 18257446 to 18266590, A1820001 to A1820146, and F18200001 to F18200094. The primary requirement is to follow the actions specified in Cessna SIL SE79-59, with a reference to FAA AD 79-25-07 for additional guidance. Compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1982, and each time an engine is installed in an aircraft following initial compliance. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and straightforward. Operators and owners of the specified Cessna aircraft must ensure that the alternator ground strap is correctly installed as per the instructions outlined in Cessna SIL SE79-59. This requirement is vital for maintaining the aircraft's airworthiness and ensuring safety during operation. The directive explicitly states that compliance is mandatory within 100 hours of time in service following 31 March 1982, and additionally, every time an engine is reinstalled in an aircraft after the initial compliance. This dual-layer compliance requirement aims to address industry reports indicating that ground straps are sometimes omitted during engine refits. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/CESSNA 180/59 can result in serious consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the text provided, non-compliance with airworthiness directives in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can generally lead to severe civil or criminal penalties. These can include fines, suspension of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, and potentially more severe criminal charges if the non-compliance is deemed to have caused an accident or endangered safety. It is essential for operators and owners to adhere strictly to the directive to avoid these adverse outcomes.