COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 185/41 Fuel System Water Drainage Placard 12/85 DM
Applicability: All models with S/.Nos. as listed in Cessna SIL SE84-4.
Requirement: Install the following placard in clear view of the pilot on the instrument panel or surrounding structure:
“Refer Flight Manual for special fuel/water drain procedures”.
Compliance: 1. Before further flight after 31 December 1985.
2. Certification on the Maintenance Release may be made by a pilot endorsed on the aircraft type. Where a pilot has made the certification, a further certification at the next inspection for maintenance shall be made by any Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
Background: This Directive has been raised to bring to the attention of pilots an amendment to the approved Flight Manual requiring specific procedures to be followed after an aircraft has been exposed to rain, sleet, snow or after fueling from drumstock or other unfiltered fuel source.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to ensure the safety of civil aviation by imposing stringent requirements on airworthiness, including the issuance of airworthiness directives. The 1998 Regulations, which are continuously updated, address gaps in aviation safety standards to prevent accidents and incidents related to aircraft maintenance and operations. One such update is the Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 185/41, issued to mandate the installation of a specific placard on Cessna 185 Series aeroplanes to alert pilots of the need to follow special fuel/water drain procedures after exposure to adverse weather conditions or unfiltered fuel sources. This directive, introduced to mitigate risks associated with water contamination in the fuel system, is part of a broader policy objective to enhance flight safety by ensuring compliance with updated maintenance protocols.
The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The policy objective behind AD/CESSNA 185/41 is to prevent accidents caused by water contamination in the fuel system, which can occur due to exposure to rain, sleet, snow, or unfiltered fuel sources. By requiring the installation of a placard and adherence to specific procedures outlined in the Flight Manual, CASA seeks to enhance the safety of operations involving Cessna 185 Series aeroplanes.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates Airworthiness Directives for certain aircraft to ensure safety standards are maintained. The directive AD/CESSNA 185/41 pertains to all models of the Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes with specific serial numbers as listed in the Cessna SIL SE84-4. This directive requires the installation of a placard stating "Refer Flight Manual for special fuel/water drain procedures" in a clear view of the pilot on the instrument panel or surrounding structure. Compliance with this directive must be achieved before further flight after 31 December 1998. The certification for compliance can initially be made by a pilot endorsed on the aircraft type, but a subsequent certification by a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer must occur at the next inspection for maintenance. This directive serves to highlight the necessity for pilots to follow special procedures outlined in the Flight Manual after exposure to adverse weather conditions or when using unfiltered fuel sources, thus ensuring continued airworthiness and safety.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes Airworthiness Directives (AD) which are mandatory requirements for ensuring the continued airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 185/41, pertains to the Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes and requires the installation of a placard that alerts pilots to follow specific fuel/water drain procedures outlined in the Flight Manual (section 1). This directive applies to all models within the specified serial numbers (section 2). The placard must be installed in a location clearly visible to the pilot, either on the instrument panel or the surrounding structure of the aircraft, to ensure that the necessary procedures are adhered to (section 3).
In terms of compliance, the directive mandates that the specified placard must be installed before any further flight after 31 December 1985 (section 4). Additionally, the Maintenance Release certification can be conducted by a pilot who is endorsed on the aircraft type. However, if the certification is made by a pilot, the next inspection for maintenance must include a certification by a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer to ensure the directive is fully complied with (section 5).
Failure to comply with this directive can result in serious consequences. While the regulations do not explicitly detail offences or penalties in the text provided, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive generally falls under the broader regulatory framework of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. These may include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates, and other enforcement actions. The exact penalties for non-compliance can vary but are typically severe given the critical nature of airworthiness requirements.
In summary, AD/CESSNA 185/41 under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 mandates the installation of a specific placard for Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes to ensure pilots follow special fuel/water drain procedures after exposure to adverse weather conditions or unfiltered fuel sources. Compliance is necessary before further flight after 31 December 1985 and involves certification by both a pilot and a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. Non-compliance can lead to significant regulatory and legal repercussions.