AD/CESSNA 188/15 - Control Systems

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through Legislative Instrument F2006B05150, introduced specific airworthiness directives to ensure the safety and reliability of civil aviation in Australia. This legislative instrument targets the Cessna 188 (Agwagon) Series Aeroplanes, addressing potential issues within the control systems of these aircraft models. The directive applies to all models with serial numbers ranging from 188-0517 to 188-0592, mandating compliance with Cessna Service Letter SE 69-28. The requirement necessitates action within 100 hours of time in service after the directive's effective date of 29 April 1970. Enacted by the Australian Parliament, the policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by ensuring that aircraft meet stringent airworthiness standards, thereby mitigating potential risks associated with control system deficiencies.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which encompasses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains to the safety and operational standards of aircraft within Australia. This legislative instrument is focused on ensuring that the specified Cessna 188 (Agwagon) series aeroplanes, with serial numbers ranging from 188-0517 to 188-0592, meet stringent safety requirements. The regulation mandates compliance with Cessna SL SE 69-28 concerning the control systems of these aircraft, and requires that the specified action be taken within 100 hours of time in service after 29 April 1970. This directive applies to all entities operating these particular models of the Cessna 188 aeroplanes within Australian airspace, ensuring a consistent approach to maintaining the airworthiness of these aircraft and upholding safety standards across the aviation industry.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of this Civil Aviation Regulation (CAR) part are Sections 39-105, which detail the requirements for airworthiness directives concerning specific aircraft models. Specifically, AD/CESSNA 188/15 pertains to the Cessna 188 (Agwagon) series aeroplanes with serial numbers 188-0517 to 188-0592 (Section 39-105(1)). This directive mandates compliance with Cessna Service Letter SE 69-28 concerning the control systems of these aircraft (Section 39-105(2)). The requirement is that these modifications or checks must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 29 April 1970 (Section 39-105(3)). Under this regulation, the primary obligation is for the owners or operators of the specified Cessna 188 series aeroplanes to ensure that the control systems are inspected and modified as per Cessna Service Letter SE 69-28. This includes reviewing the aircraft's maintenance records to verify that the required actions have been completed within the stipulated timeframe. Operators must also maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all modifications and inspections performed on the control systems of these aircraft (Section 39-105(4)). Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can take enforcement action against operators who do not adhere to the requirements set out in AD/CESSNA 188/15. Such actions may include fines, suspension of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate, or even grounding of the aircraft until the necessary compliance measures are undertaken. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the regulation itself but are typically determined based on the severity and frequency of the breach (Section 39-105(5)).