AD/CESSNA 180/61 - Fuel Cap Alignment Placard

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Legislation au F2006B05074 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

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 180/61 Fuel Cap Alignment Placard 12/80

Applicability: Model 180 with S/Nos. 604, 624, 645, 30000 to 32999, 50001 to 50911 and

18050912 to 18053132.

 

Model 182 with S/Nos. 613, 631, 634, 33000 to 34999, 51001 to 53007 and

18253008 to 18267514.

 

Model F182 with S/Nos. F18200001 to F18200129.

 

Model R182/TR182 with S/Nos. R18200001 to R18201460. Model FR182 with S/Nos. FR18200001 to FR18200045.

Model A182 with S/Nos. A182-0001 and on.

 

Requirement: Action in accordance with Cessna SIL No. SE 80-59. Compliance:  Within 100 hours time in service after 30 September 1980.

Background: Correct alignment of flush fitting type fuel caps is essential for efficient operation of the fuel tank secondary vent system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serve to regulate civil aviation safety and establish standards for airworthiness. One specific legislative instrument under this act, F2006B05074, addresses a safety concern for the Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 Series Aeroplanes, specifically related to the alignment of fuel cap placards. The problem this legislation aims to resolve is the improper alignment of flush fitting type fuel caps, which can compromise the efficiency of the fuel tank secondary vent system, potentially leading to operational hazards. The policy objective, as stated in the regulations, is to ensure that corrective actions are taken to align the fuel caps according to specified guidelines, thereby maintaining the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft models. Compliance with these directives is mandated within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1980, ensuring that the necessary safety measures are implemented promptly.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, addresses the airworthiness directives for the Cessna 180, 182 and Wren 460 series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument mandates compliance with a fuel cap alignment placard for specified models of these aircraft. The directive applies to Model 180 with serial numbers within specified ranges, Model 182 with its own set of serial numbers, and additional models like F182, R182/TR182, FR182, and A182, all identified by their unique serial numbers. The requirement is for these aircraft to adhere to the Cessna SIL No. SE 80-59 and achieve compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1980. The primary aim of this regulation is to ensure the correct alignment of the flush fitting fuel caps, which is critical for the efficient operation of the fuel tank secondary vent system, thereby enhancing the safety and performance of the aircraft. This directive extends its application across the Commonwealth of Australia, impacting the aviation industry and the owners or operators of the specified aircraft models.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include a schedule of airworthiness directives pertaining to certain Cessna aeroplane models, namely the 180, 182, and Wren 460 series. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 180/61, pertains to the alignment of fuel cap placards (Section 12/80). This directive applies to specific serial number ranges of the Cessna 180, 182, and related models (Section 1). The directive mandates compliance with Cessna Service Information Letter SE 80-59, which outlines the necessary actions to ensure the fuel cap alignment is correct (Section 3). Compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service following 30 September 1980 (Section 4). The directive imposes several obligations on the parties responsible for these aircraft. Owners, operators, and maintenance personnel must ensure that the fuel cap alignment on the specified models adheres to the requirements set out in the Cessna SIL SE 80-59. This involves verifying that the fuel caps are correctly aligned to facilitate the efficient operation of the fuel tank secondary vent system. Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to serious safety issues, including potential fuel leaks and compromised flight safety. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in significant legal and safety consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided text, general regulatory frameworks suggest that violations of such directives can lead to enforcement actions. These may include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory sanctions. Additionally, non-compliance can result in civil liability for any damages or injuries resulting from flight incidents arising from the failure to meet these safety standards. In severe cases, criminal charges may also be applicable, particularly if gross negligence or willful disregard of safety regulations is demonstrated.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.