COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 188 (Agwagon) Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 188/35 Fuel Cap Alignment Placard 9/80
Applicability: Model A188 (with wing tanks) with S/Nos. 653, 188-0446 to 188-0572, 18800573 and subsequent, Model A188B with S/Nos. 18800967T and subsequent.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Cessna SIL No. SE 80-59. Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 September 1980.
Background: Correct alignment of flush fitting type fuel caps is essential for efficient operation of the fuel tank secondary vent system.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative Instrument F2006B05171, focus on ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft through specific directives, such as AD/CESSNA 188/35 concerning Cessna 188 (Agwagon) Series Aeroplanes. This legislation was enacted to address safety concerns related to the alignment of fuel caps, which is crucial for the proper functioning of the fuel tank secondary vent system. The requirement is that any action must be taken in accordance with Cessna SIL No. SE 80-59, with compliance needed within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1980. The policy objective is to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation, ensuring that aircraft operate within prescribed safety parameters to protect passengers, crew, and the general public. This legislative instrument is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is tasked with enforcing these regulations to uphold aviation safety in Australia.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the purview of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, apply to specific Cessna 188 (Agwagon) series aeroplanes as detailed in the Airworthiness Directives. The particular regulation AD/CESSNA 188/35, which mandates the installation of a fuel cap alignment placard, is applicable to Model A188 aeroplanes with wing tanks, serial numbers ranging from 653, 188-0446 to 188-0572, 188-0573 and subsequent, as well as Model A188B aeroplanes from serial number 188-0967T onwards. This directive is essential to ensure the correct alignment of flush fitting fuel caps, which is crucial for the efficient operation of the aircraft's secondary vent system. The requirement necessitates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1980, aligning with the specific Service Information Letter (SIL) No. SE 80-59 issued by Cessna. The regulation's scope is specifically tailored to the aforementioned models and serial numbers, and it does not explicitly mention exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the specified compliance timeline.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, details the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD) for various aircraft types, including the Cessna 188 (Agwagon) Series Aeroplanes. One such directive is AD/CESSNA 188/35, which pertains to the alignment of fuel cap placards for certain models of the Cessna 188. According to section 9/80, this directive applies to Model A188 with specific serial numbers, as well as Model A188B with certain serial numbers. The directive requires compliance with Cessna SIL No. SE 80-59, which outlines the necessary action to ensure the fuel cap alignment is correct. This requirement must be met within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1980.
The obligations under this directive are clear and require aircraft operators or owners to ensure that the fuel caps on the specified Cessna 188 models are correctly aligned. This involves following the detailed instructions provided in the Cessna SIL No. SE 80-59, which likely includes specific steps for checking and adjusting the fuel cap alignment to ensure it is flush fitting. This alignment is critical for the proper functioning of the fuel tank secondary vent system, which is essential for the safe operation of the aircraft. Operators must ensure that the necessary inspections and adjustments are performed by appropriately qualified personnel and that all work is completed within the stipulated timeframe.
Failure to comply with this directive can result in significant legal and safety consequences. While the specific civil or criminal penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with CASA airworthiness directives generally carries severe implications. This could include grounding of the aircraft, fines, and other enforcement actions by CASA. In extreme cases, continued operation of a non-compliant aircraft could lead to criminal charges for those responsible, potentially resulting in substantial penalties. Therefore, it is imperative for aircraft operators and owners to adhere strictly to the requirements set forth in AD/CESSNA 188/35 to avoid any legal repercussions and to ensure the continued airworthiness of their aircraft.