AD/CESSNA 185/10 - Tail Wheel Steering Bellcrank

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) are a comprehensive set of rules governing aviation safety in Australia, and they are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Among these regulations, Part 39 outlines specific airworthiness directives, including AD/CESSNA 185/10, which was introduced to address safety concerns related to the tail wheel steering bellcranks in Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes used in agricultural operations. This directive was enacted to ensure that these aircraft maintain a high standard of airworthiness by requiring regular inspections and replacements of defective parts, thus contributing to the overarching policy objective of enhancing aviation safety and preventing accidents. The requirement for inspections at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service underscores the importance of maintaining these critical components in good working condition.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 185/10 under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39. This directive applies to all Cessna 185 series aeroplanes used in the agricultural category. The directive mandates the inspection of the tailwheel steering bellcranks, particularly those with the part number 0712309-1, located in the rear fuselage, to check for elongated pin holes. Any bellcranks found to be defective must be replaced to ensure airworthiness. Compliance with this directive requires that the inspection be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. This regulation is aimed at maintaining the safety standards of these aircraft by ensuring the integrity of the tailwheel steering mechanism, which is crucial for safe operation.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, section 105, provide specific Airworthiness Directives (AD) for ensuring the safety of aircraft. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 185/10, pertains to the tail wheel steering bellcrank of Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes, which fall under the agricultural category. This directive mandates that all such aircraft must undergo an inspection of the tailwheel steering bellcranks, specifically those with part number 0712309-1, which are located in the rear fuselage (Section 1). The inspection is crucial for detecting elongated pin holes, which can compromise the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft. If any defective bellcranks are found during the inspection, they must be replaced to ensure continued airworthiness (Section 2). The Civil Aviation Regulations impose several obligations on the operators of Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes. Primarily, these operators must adhere to the specified inspection intervals, which should not exceed 100 hours of time in service. This requirement ensures that the aircraft remains in a safe operational condition by regularly checking and maintaining critical components such as the tailwheel steering bellcranks (Section 3). The regulations also necessitate that operators maintain accurate records of all inspections and any corrective actions taken, ensuring traceability and accountability in the maintenance process. Breaching the requirements outlined in these regulations can lead to significant consequences. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the provided excerpt, it is common under Australian aviation law for non-compliance with ADs to result in civil penalties. These can include fines or, in severe cases, the grounding of the aircraft until the issues are rectified. Additionally, there may be criminal consequences for operators who deliberately ignore these safety directives, leading to more severe penalties, including imprisonment. The exact penalties would depend on the specific breach and the regulatory framework in place at the time of the offence.