AD/CESSNA 185/29 - Fuel Vent Tube

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. Part 39 of these regulations specifically addresses the requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft, including issuing Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address specific safety concerns. One such AD is AD/CESSNA 185/29, which pertains to the fuel vent tube of Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes with serial numbers between 18503154 and 18503524. This directive was introduced to address a specific safety issue related to the fuel vent tube, mandating corrective action in accordance with Cessna Service Letter SE78-40. The objective of this directive is to ensure compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1978, thereby enhancing the safety of these aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically address the safety and maintenance standards of aircraft within Australia's jurisdiction. This particular regulation, Part 39 - 105, pertains to Airworthiness Directives for specific aircraft models, including the Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes. The directive AD/CESSNA 185/29 mandates that the fuel vent tube for Cessna 185 models with serial numbers ranging from 18503154 to 18503524 must comply with Cessna Service Letter No. SE78-40. This requirement must be fulfilled within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1978, ensuring that the aircraft maintains its airworthiness as per the stipulated guidelines. The directive applies nationally and extends to all relevant entities operating within the Australian aviation sector, with no specific exclusions or exemptions mentioned in this directive.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, sets out the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes specific directives for various aircraft types. One such directive is AD/CESSNA 185/29, which pertains to the fuel vent tube of the Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes (section 1). This directive applies specifically to Model 185 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 18503154 to 18503524 (section 2). The requirement outlined in this directive mandates that actions must be taken in accordance with Cessna Service Letter (SL) No. SE78-40 (section 3). Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1978 (section 4). The obligations imposed by AD/CESSNA 185/29 on the relevant aircraft owners or operators include ensuring that the specified action concerning the fuel vent tube is carried out as per Cessna Service Letter SE78-40. This involves inspecting and possibly modifying the fuel vent tube to meet the safety standards stipulated by CASA (section 5). Owners and operators must document the compliance process, including the completion of the required actions, and maintain these records as evidence of adherence to the directive (section 6). Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in AD/CESSNA 185/29 may result in significant consequences. Non-compliance could potentially lead to safety hazards, thereby putting the aircraft and its occupants at risk (section 7). The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to enforce penalties against those who fail to adhere to the directive. The potential penalties may include fines and other regulatory actions that could affect the airworthiness certification of the aircraft (section 8). The exact penalties can vary, but they are designed to ensure that safety directives are taken seriously and adhered to rigorously.