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 180/64 Nose Gear Tunnel Access Hole Plug Button 8/81
Applicability: All models 182 with S/Nos. 18267716 to 18267818.
All models R182 with S/Nos. R18200001 to R18201692.
All models FR182 with S/Nos. FR18200001 to FR18200070.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Cessna SIL No. SE81-18.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 August 1981 unless already accomplished.
Background: A plug button may have been omitted from an access hole in the nose gear tunnel at manufacture.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, represent a comprehensive legal framework designed to regulate civil aviation within Australia, ensuring safety and compliance with international standards. Part 39, specifically addressing airworthiness directives, is instrumental in maintaining the safety of aircraft operations by issuing mandatory requirements for the continued airworthiness of certain aircraft types. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 180/64, pertains to Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 series aeroplanes, highlighting the importance of addressing specific safety concerns to mitigate risks associated with aircraft operation.
This particular directive, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, aims to address a critical safety issue identified in certain Cessna models. Specifically, AD/CESSNA 180/64 mandates the installation of a plug button in an access hole in the nose gear tunnel to prevent potential hazards that could arise from the omission of this component during manufacturing. The directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1981, unless the action has already been completed, underscoring the urgency and importance of this safety measure. The policy objective is to enhance the overall safety and reliability of these aircraft, ensuring that they meet the stringent safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically address the safety directives for certain Cessna aeroplane models within the Australian jurisdiction. This legislation applies to specific serial numbers of Cessna 180, 182 and Wren 460 series aeroplanes, including all models 182 with serial numbers ranging from 18267716 to 18267818, all models R182 from R18200001 to R18201692, and all models FR182 from FR18200001 to FR18200070. The regulations mandate that an action be taken to ensure compliance with Cessna Service Information Letter No. SE81-18, specifically addressing the installation of a plug button for a nose gear tunnel access hole, within 100 hours of time in service following 31 August 1981, or if such action has not already been completed. This regulation is part of the broader framework enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to maintain airworthiness and safety standards for these aircraft types within Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which governs the maintenance and operation of various aircraft. Within this schedule, AD/CESSNA 180/64 outlines specific requirements for Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 series aeroplanes. This directive pertains to the nose gear tunnel access hole plug button on certain models (sections 1 and 2). The directive applies to all models 182 with serial numbers (S/Nos.) 18267716 to 18267818, all models R182 with S/Nos. R18200001 to R18201692, and all models FR182 with S/Nos. FR18200001 to FR18200070. The requirement is that the action must be in accordance with Cessna SIL No. SE81-18, and compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1981, unless the action has already been accomplished.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. The operators or owners of the affected aircraft must ensure that the nose gear tunnel access hole is equipped with a plug button as specified by Cessna SIL No. SE81-18. This requirement must be met within 100 hours of the aircraft being in service after the specified date. If the aircraft has already been in service for more than 100 hours post-31 August 1981, and the action has not been completed, the requirement must be fulfilled as soon as practically possible. This involves inspecting the nose gear tunnel access hole and installing the plug button if it is missing, ensuring that the aircraft remains airworthy and complies with safety standards.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/CESSNA 180/64 could result in civil or criminal consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide for various penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. For instance, an aircraft that does not meet the requirements may be considered unairworthy, which could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Additionally, the operator or owner could face financial penalties, and in severe cases, criminal charges. The exact penalties depend on the circumstances and the discretion of CASA, but they may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential imprisonment for serious breaches. Ensuring compliance with AD/CESSNA 180/64 is therefore critical to avoid these adverse outcomes.