AD/CESSNA 185/32 Amdt 1 - Alternator Ground Strap

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, were introduced to ensure the safety and regulation of civil aviation within Australia. One particular amendment, AD/CESSNA 185/32 Amendment 1, pertains to the Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes and was designed to address the specific issue of alternator ground strap omissions during engine reinstallation. The problem identified was the non-compliance with the required installation of ground straps, which posed a safety risk. The objective of this directive is to mandate compliance with the Cessna SIL SE79-59 to ensure the safety of these aircraft. The regulation requires action within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1982 and mandates compliance each time an engine is installed following initial adherence to the directive. This amendment reflects the authority's commitment to maintaining stringent safety standards in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105 and specifically the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the maintenance and safety requirements for certain aircraft, including all Cessna 185 series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 18501096 to 18503619. The regulations mandate that these aircraft must comply with the alterations and checks specified in Cessna SIL SE79-59, with a particular focus on the alternator ground strap, as referenced in FAA AD 79-25-07. Compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1982 and must also be undertaken each time an engine is installed in an aircraft following initial compliance. This directive was amended to address industry reports indicating that ground straps were often omitted during engine reinstallation, thereby necessitating stricter compliance measures to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, address the airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models, with a focus on the Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes in this instance. The regulation in question, AD/CESSNA 185/32, pertains to the alternator ground strap and requires actions to be taken in accordance with Cessna SIL SE79-59 (section 1). This directive was updated in Amendment 1 of 9/82, and it applies to all Cessna model 185 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 18501096 to 18503619 (section 2). The requirement is that the specified action must be carried out within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1982, and also each time an engine is installed in an aircraft following the initial compliance (section 3). This update was made in response to industry reports indicating that ground straps were being omitted during engine reinstallation. The obligations imposed by this airworthiness directive are clear: operators of the specified Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes must ensure that the alternator ground strap is properly installed and maintained. This includes performing the required action within the stipulated timeframe and each time an engine is reinstalled post-initial compliance (section 3). Additionally, operators must adhere to the specifications outlined in Cessna SIL SE79-59, ensuring that all steps are correctly followed to maintain the aircraft's airworthiness. Breaches of these requirements can lead to significant consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the text provided, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 generally impose stringent measures for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Such breaches can potentially lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which may include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates of airworthiness, or other regulatory penalties. These measures are designed to ensure the highest standards of safety and compliance in the aviation industry, underscoring the critical importance of adhering to these directives.