AD/CESSNA 205/13 Amdt 1 - Vented Fuel Caps

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by AD/CESSNA 205/13, specifically addresses the safety concerns associated with the fuel systems of the Cessna 205 (210-5) Series Aeroplanes. This legislative instrument was enacted to ensure that the model 205 with specific serial numbers is equipped with vented fuel caps to mitigate the risk of fuel tank-related issues, such as obstructed primary vents or sticking of the fuel tank vent valve. The problem it aims to address is the potential for secondary venting in the form of vented fuel caps to prevent safety hazards during flight operations. The amendment was introduced by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority as part of its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of airworthiness and safety in civil aviation. The policy objective is to ensure compliance with the safety directive by requiring the installation of vented fuel caps within specified timeframes, thereby enhancing the overall safety of these aircraft models.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains to the Cessna 205 (210-5) Series Aeroplanes, and mandates the installation of vented fuel caps to address safety concerns. This regulation applies to Model 205 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 641 and 205-0001 to 205-0577. The directive requires that vented fuel caps be installed in accordance with Cessna Service Letter SE77-6, referencing FAA AD 79-10-14, Amendment 39-3475. It is imperative that this compliance is achieved within 100 hours of time in service following 31 August 1979 or before 1 January 1980, whichever is later, and explicitly states that the installation of a placard is not an acceptable alternative. This legislative instrument is instrumental in ensuring that the specified models of aeroplanes adhere to safety standards by preventing issues related to obstructed primary vents or sticking fuel tank vent valves through the secondary venting provided by vented fuel caps.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for various aircraft types, including the Cessna 205 (210-5) series aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 205/13 Amendment 1, pertains to the installation of vented fuel caps on Model 205 aircraft with serial numbers 641 and 205-0001 to 205-0577. This directive mandates that vented fuel caps must be installed in accordance with Cessna Service Letter SE77-6 (section 1). This requirement is referenced in FAA AD 79-10-14, Amendment 39-3475, which further clarifies the installation criteria (section 2). Notably, the directive explicitly states that installing a placard is not a viable alternative to the installation of vented fuel caps (section 3). The obligations imposed by this directive require operators of the specified Cessna 205 models to ensure that vented fuel caps are installed correctly within a specified timeframe. Specifically, the installation must occur within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1979 or before 1 January 1980, whichever is later (section 4). This timeframe is critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft, as the directive aims to mitigate the risks associated with obstructed primary vents or sticking fuel tank vent valves by providing secondary venting through the fuel caps (section 5). Failure to comply with this directive can lead to serious safety implications and regulatory consequences. The directive outlines that the installation of vented fuel caps is mandatory and does not allow for any alternatives such as placards, indicating the importance of strict adherence to the specified requirements (section 6). Non-compliance with these provisions could result in enforcement actions by CASA, including potential grounding of the aircraft until the necessary modifications are made (section 7). The directive underscores the necessity of maintaining airworthiness standards to ensure the safety of all operations involving these aircraft (section 8).