AD/CESSNA 185/48 - Upper Shoulder Harness Adjuster Spring

Overview

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes, issued on 23 December 2004, was enacted to address an unsafe condition identified in the shoulder harness adjusters of specific models. This AD was issued by David Villiers, a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. The problem identified involved the inadvertent installation of a small wire spring on the belt friction pin in some shoulder harness adjusters, which could lead to slippage of the pilot or co-pilot shoulder harness, potentially causing failure in maintaining proper belt length adjustment and tension. The policy objective of the AD is to ensure the safety of the aircraft by mandating inspections and necessary corrective actions on the specified aircraft models to mitigate this risk.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes, including models 185, 185A, 185B, 185C, 185D, 185E, and A185E, with serial numbers detailed in the Cessna Single Engine Service Bulletin SEB86-8 Revision 1, dated 28 July 2003. The directive mandates inspections and specific actions concerning the upper shoulder harness adjuster, requiring the removal of a retainer spring if present and the recording of compliance if the spring is absent. Compliance must be achieved within 25 hours of time in service or at the next annual inspection following the directive's effective date of 23 December 2004. The directive is applicable throughout the Commonwealth of Australia and is effective as of its publication in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 1 December 2004.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) pertains to the Cessna 185 series aeroplanes, specifically targeting the upper shoulder harness adjusters. According to section 13, the directive applies to models 185, 185A, 185B, 185C, 185D, 185E, and A185E, as identified in the Cessna Single Engine Service Bulletin (SEB86-8 Revision 1). The AD requires the inspection of the upper shoulder harness adjuster (part number 443030-401) for the presence of a retainer spring, as per SB SEB86-8 Revision 1. If a retainer spring is found, it must be removed by cutting each side and stamping out the identification number before further flight. If no retainer spring is found, an entry must be made in the aircraft log book indicating compliance with this directive. Additionally, only Cessna accessory kits that have been identified, inspected, and modified in accordance with the requirement document are to be incorporated. The AD imposes several obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Primarily, it mandates a thorough inspection of the specified aircraft models to identify and rectify the presence of a retainer spring in the upper shoulder harness adjuster. This inspection must be conducted in accordance with the detailed instructions provided in SB SEB86-8 Revision 1. If a retainer spring is detected, it must be removed by cutting each side and stamping out the identification number. If no retainer spring is found, an entry must be recorded in the aircraft log book to demonstrate compliance with the AD. Furthermore, the AD requires that only accessory kits that have been identified, inspected, and modified in accordance with the requirement document are incorporated. Failure to comply with the provisions of this AD may result in significant consequences. While the specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach are not explicitly stated in the directive, non-compliance with ADs generally carries severe implications. Non-compliance can potentially lead to the grounding of the affected aircraft, which can have substantial operational and financial repercussions for operators. Additionally, CASA, as the regulatory authority, has the power to enforce compliance through various means, including fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other enforcement actions. The seriousness of the issue addressed by the AD, which concerns safety by preventing slippage of the shoulder harness, underscores the importance of strict compliance with its requirements.