AD/CESSNA 185/7 Amdt 1 - Wing Main Spar and Lower Skin

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has implemented the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 as part of an overarching framework to ensure the safety and reliability of civil aviation in Australia. One of the specific directives within these regulations is the Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 185/7 Amendment 1, which pertains to the Cessna 185 series aeroplanes. This directive was enacted to address the identified risk of structural failure in the wing main spar and lower skin of these aircraft, particularly in models used in agricultural categories. The directive mandates regular visual inspections for signs of cracking in crucial areas such as the corners of the skin cutouts through which the lift strut fork passes, and the main spar lower flange front and rear faces near the lift strut attachment, with a focus on the regions around the spar to skin rivets. The policy objective behind this directive is to enhance the safety of flight operations by proactively identifying and mitigating potential structural issues before they result in critical failures. The enforcement of such directives by CASA aims to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation, ensuring that aircraft remain airworthy and compliant with regulatory requirements. This proactive approach underscores the commitment to safeguarding both the flying public and the operational integrity of aircraft within the Australian aviation sector.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandates the inspection of all Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes in the agricultural category. This legislation applies to all operators of such aircraft and requires them to carry out a visual inspection for cracking in the wings, focusing on the corners of the skin cutouts through which the lift strut fork passes, and the main spar lower flange front and rear faces around the lift strut attachment, with particular attention to the areas around the spar to skin rivets. These inspections must be conducted before the wings reach 4000 hours of total time in service and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, extending across all states and territories within Australia. The regulation does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the specified inspection intervals. Compliance with these directives is essential to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft, and failure to adhere to these requirements may result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, mandate the maintenance and safety of aircraft through specific Airworthiness Directives (ADs). One such directive, AD/CESSNA 185/7 Amendment 1, focuses on the inspection and maintenance of the wing main spar and lower skin of Cessna 185 series aeroplanes in the agricultural category (AD/CESSNA 185/7). This directive is crucial for ensuring the structural integrity of the aircraft, which is paramount for safety in operations. The requirement is to conduct a visual inspection for any signs of cracking, specifically around the skin cutouts where the lift strut fork passes, and on the front and rear faces of the main spar lower flange near the lift strut attachment (AD/CESSNA 185/7, 10/67). Attention must be paid to areas around the spar-to-skin rivets, and the affected areas must be thoroughly cleaned before any inspection takes place. Compliance with AD/CESSNA 185/7 involves adhering to a stringent inspection schedule. The initial inspection must occur before the aircraft reaches 4000 hours of total time in service. Following this, inspections must be carried out at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. This ensures that any potential issues are identified and addressed promptly, maintaining the aircraft's airworthiness. The directive places a clear responsibility on the operators and owners of the Cessna 185 series aeroplanes to ensure these inspections are conducted regularly and meticulously. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in AD/CESSNA 185/7 could have serious repercussions. Although the Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly outline penalties for non-compliance with this specific AD in the provided text, general provisions within the regulations could apply. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which may include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other administrative penalties. Such actions underscore the importance of adhering to the stipulated inspection intervals and procedures to avoid any legal or safety issues.