AD/CESSNA 188/13 - Front Main Spar

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, includes the legislative instrument F2006B05148, which addresses safety concerns related to the Cessna 188 (Agwagon) series aeroplanes. This regulation was introduced to ensure the ongoing airworthiness and safety of these aircraft by mandating regular inspections of critical structural components. The policy objective of this enactment, overseen by the Commonwealth of Australia, is to mitigate the risk of structural failure due to undetected damage, thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation. Compliance with these airworthiness directives is mandatory, with inspections required within 100 hours of time in service and at intervals not exceeding 200 hours thereafter, specifically targeting the front main spar and its doublers for any signs of cracking near the attachment bolt at the root end.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Cessna 188 (Agwagon) series aeroplanes, necessitating specific maintenance actions to ensure airworthiness. This legislation governs the inspection of the front main spar and doublers for cracking in the area adjacent to the attachment bolt at the root end, applicable nationwide and regulated by the Commonwealth of Australia. The directive mandates that inspections must be conducted within 100 hours of time in service and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of time in service. The regulation applies to all operators and owners of the specified aircraft models, ensuring that the critical structural components of these aeroplanes are regularly assessed to maintain safety standards. While the regulation sets forth clear inspection requirements, it does not specify exclusions or exemptions, implying that all Cessna 188 series aeroplanes within Australian jurisdiction must comply with the stated inspection intervals.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandates specific directives to ensure the airworthiness of certain aircraft, such as the Cessna 188 (Agwagon) Series Aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 188/13, pertains to the front main spar. Section (6/69) of this directive applies to all models of the Cessna 188 series. It requires a thorough inspection of the front spar and its doublers, focusing on detecting any cracks in the area adjacent to the attachment bolt at the root end. This inspection is mandatory within the first 100 hours of the aircraft’s time in service and must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 200 hours thereafter. Compliance with AD/CESSNA 188/13 involves specific obligations for the operators and maintainers of the Cessna 188 series aircraft. They are required to perform a detailed inspection of the designated areas of the front main spar and doublers to identify any signs of structural compromise, such as cracks. This inspection must be conducted by a certified individual or under the supervision of a certified individual who is qualified to perform such inspections. Records of these inspections must be maintained and made available for review by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority upon request. Failure to adhere to the requirements set forth in AD/CESSNA 188/13 can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose both civil and potential criminal penalties for non-compliance. Civil penalties may include fines, and in more severe cases, the grounding of the aircraft until the necessary inspections and repairs are completed. Criminal penalties may apply if the non-compliance is found to have resulted in significant safety risks or incidents. The maximum penalties can vary, but they reflect the seriousness of the potential safety implications of failing to maintain the airworthiness standards as mandated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.