AD/CESSNA 188/33 - Wing Front Spar, Boom Attach Holes

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through F2006B05169, address safety concerns associated with the Cessna 188 (Agwagon) series aeroplanes by introducing Airworthiness Directives. Enacted by the Australian Government, these regulations aim to ensure the safety of civil aviation operations. Specifically, AD/CESSNA 188/33 targets issues with the wing front spar boom attach holes in certain model 188 aeroplanes. The problem identified is the potential for these holes to wear in service, leading to elongation and oversizing, which could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft. The directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 April 1980, as specified in Cessna SIL No. SE80-18. The policy objective is to mandate timely corrective actions to maintain the airworthiness of affected aeroplanes, thereby ensuring continued safety in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, outlines the Airworthiness Directives for the Cessna 188 (Agwagon) Series Aeroplanes. The directive AD/CESSNA 188/33 pertains to the wing front spar boom attach holes, aiming to address potential wear that may cause elongation and oversizing of these holes. This directive applies to all model 188 Cessna aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 18801178 to 18802057. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved within 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service after 30 April 1980, in accordance with Cessna Service Information Letter No. SE80-18. This regulation is applicable within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, enforced by CASA to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of these specific Cessna aircraft models.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39, Section 105, address the maintenance and airworthiness of the Cessna 188 (Agwagon) series aeroplanes through Airworthiness Directives (AD). AD/CESSNA 188/33 focuses on the wing front spar boom attach holes, which are prone to wear and elongation, potentially leading to safety issues. The directive applies to all model 188 aeroplanes with serial numbers (S/Nos) ranging from 18801178 to 18802057. The requirement under this directive is that corrective action must be taken in accordance with the specifications outlined in Cessna Service Information Letter (SIL) No. SE80-18. Compliance with this directive is mandated within 100 hours of time in service after 30 April 1980. The obligations imposed by AD/CESSNA 188/33 are straightforward yet crucial. Operators of the affected Cessna 188 aeroplanes must ensure that the corrective measures specified in SIL SE80-18 are implemented. This involves addressing the wear and potential oversizing of the boom attach holes in the front spar lower front flange, which could compromise the structural integrity of the wing. Operators must verify that the corrective actions have been performed by a certified technician and that all work complies with the outlined specifications to maintain airworthiness standards. Failure to comply with AD/CESSNA 188/33 could result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can impose penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives, which may include fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. The exact penalties and enforcement actions are detailed in other sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, but the directive itself underscores the importance of timely and accurate compliance to ensure safety. Operators must be aware that ongoing non-compliance not only risks regulatory penalties but also potentially endangers flight safety and passenger well-being.