COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 185/40
Amdt 1
Fuel Filler Caps and Adaptors 11/88
Applicability: Models with serial number:
185-0001 through 18503683 (1961-1978),
18503684 through 18504414 (1979-1983) (optional tanks only);
unless reduced diameter, raised filler neck fuel caps are installed on all filler openings in accordance with Cessna Service Kit SK182-85 (refer S.I.L. SE 84-16).
Requirement: 1. Visually inspect the wing aft of the fuel filler for indications of inflight fuel leakage.
2. Visually inspect the fuel cap locking mechanism and seals for cracking, distortion and any condition which might prevent sealing.
3. Remove the fuel filler caps and inspect the adaptor sealing face for distortion, scratches, corrosion or any condition which may prevent the cap from sealing.
4. Visually check the sealing and security of the attachment of the adaptor flange to the adaptor plate paying particular attention to the adhesive (if present) between the parts.
5. Check the fuel cap seal by actuating the locking tab and noting that force is maintained between the cap, seal and adaptor when the tab is in the over-centre locking position.
6. Conduct a fuel cap leak test in accordance with Cessna SIL SE 82-34.
Compliance: Prior to the issue of the next Maintenance Release after 30 June 1985 and thereafter at each issue of a new Maintenance Release.
Background: This Amendment deletes the requirement for extensive inspection and testing of fuel filler caps against possible water ingress, for aeroplanes fitted with raised fuel filler necks.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, provide a comprehensive framework for the regulation of civil aviation within the country. Part 39 of these regulations, specifically addressing the safety of aircraft, includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives which sets out mandatory safety standards for various aircraft types. The legislation aims to ensure that all civil aircraft operate within safe parameters, thereby protecting the public and enhancing the overall safety of the national airspace. This legislative instrument, AD/CESSNA 185/40 Amendment 1, targets Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes to address specific issues related to fuel filler caps and adaptors, ensuring they meet the required safety standards.
This particular amendment, issued in 1988, focuses on the Cessna 185 series aeroplanes manufactured between 1961 and 1983, requiring specific inspections and tests to be conducted on fuel filler caps and adaptors to prevent in-flight fuel leakage and ensure the integrity of the fuel system. The policy objective behind this directive is to mitigate the risk of fuel leaks, which could potentially lead to safety hazards during flight. The regulation mandates detailed inspections and tests to be performed at specified intervals, ensuring that the aircraft remain airworthy and compliant with safety standards set by CASA.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically address the airworthiness directives for certain Cessna 185 series aeroplanes. The regulations apply to models with serial numbers ranging from 185-0001 to 18503683, manufactured between 1961 and 1978, and 18503684 to 18504414, produced from 1979 to 1983, unless these aircraft are equipped with reduced diameter, raised filler neck fuel caps as per Cessna Service Kit SK182-85. The regulations are designed to ensure that all fuel filler caps and adaptors meet specified safety standards to prevent inflight fuel leakage and other potential hazards. Compliance with these directives is mandatory and must be achieved prior to the issue of the next Maintenance Release after 30 June 1985, and at each subsequent release. The scope of these regulations extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring consistent application and enforcement of safety standards nationwide.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this legislative instrument (AD/CESSNA 185/40 Amendment 1) pertain to the inspection and maintenance of fuel filler caps and adaptors on Cessna 185 series aeroplanes. Section 1 outlines the applicability, detailing which serial number ranges of the aircraft are subject to these requirements. Section 2 enumerates the specific inspections and tests that need to be conducted, such as visual inspections of the fuel filler caps, their locking mechanisms, seals, and adaptor sealing faces. It also mandates a fuel cap leak test to ensure there are no leaks. These inspections and tests are required to be carried out in accordance with specified procedures.
The obligations imposed by this legislation on the parties or entities it governs are primarily concerned with the regular and thorough inspection and maintenance of the fuel filler caps and adaptors of the specified Cessna 185 aeroplanes. Owners, operators, and maintenance personnel must ensure that the aircraft comply with the outlined requirements before the next Maintenance Release after 30 June 1985 and at each subsequent Maintenance Release. The compliance schedule is rigorous, demanding that the inspections and tests are performed meticulously and documented accurately to certify the airworthiness of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the provisions set out in this legislative instrument can lead to serious consequences. While the specific offences, penalties, or consequences are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can result in severe repercussions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These may include enforcement actions, fines, and potentially grounding of the aircraft until the necessary inspections and repairs are completed. Such actions are taken to ensure the safety and integrity of the aircraft and to prevent any risk of in-flight incidents due to fuel system failures.