AD/CESSNA 205/14 - Fuel Flow Stabilisation Placard

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, introduced Airworthiness Directives to ensure that civil aircraft are maintained in an airworthy condition. This legislation aims to address safety issues and compliance with industry standards to prevent accidents and incidents in the aviation sector. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority of the Parliament of Australia, enacts these regulations to protect public safety and ensure the highest standards in civil aviation. The policy objective behind these directives is to mandate specific actions to be taken by aircraft operators to ensure the continued airworthiness of their aircraft, thereby maintaining the safety and reliability of civil aviation operations. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 205/14, pertains to the Cessna 205 (210-5) series aeroplanes, focusing on the installation of a fuel flow stabilisation placard to mitigate the risk of excessive vapour in the fuel system. This directive applies to specific serial numbers of the Model 205 aeroplanes and requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 October 1979. The directive mandates that actions be taken in accordance with Cessna SIL No. SE79-25, Supplement No. 1, to ensure that any issues related to fuel system vapour are addressed effectively. This directive is a critical component of the overarching framework aimed at enhancing aviation safety through stringent compliance measures and proactive risk management.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to the Cessna 205 (210-5) Series Aeroplanes, with the focus being on models 205 with serial numbers ranging from 205-0001 to 205-0555 and 205-0556 to 205-0577 that are equipped with the SK205-5. This regulation mandates compliance with Cessna SIL No. SE79-25, Supplement No. 1, in conjunction with FAA AD 79-15-01, Amendment 39-3517. The requirement necessitates action within 100 hours of the aircraft being in service after 31 October 1979, aiming to ensure the installation of fuel flow stabilisation placards and the adherence to detailed engine restart procedures in case of in-flight power interruptions. The directive ensures that all relevant aircraft meet specific safety standards as determined by the manufacturer, thus maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft within the Australian jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that govern the safety standards of aircraft in Australia. Section AD/CESSNA 205/14 pertains to the Cessna 205 (210-5) Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the requirement for a Fuel Flow Stabilisation Placard (paragraph 10/79). This section applies to Model 205 aircraft with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 205-0001 to 205-0555 that have an SK205-5 installed, as well as those with S/Nos. 205-0556 to 205-0577 (paragraph 10/79). The directive mandates compliance with Cessna Service Instruction Letter (SIL) No. SE79-25, Supplement No. 1, which provides guidance on the installation and use of the placard and instructions for recognising and mitigating excessive vapour from the aircraft fuel system (paragraph 10/79). It also references FAA AD 79-15-01, Amendment 39-3517, for further information. The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators and owners of affected Cessna 205 aeroplanes. These parties are required to ensure that the Fuel Flow Stabilisation Placard is installed in accordance with the Cessna SIL No. SE79-25, Supplement No. 1 (paragraph 10/79). Furthermore, the directive mandates that compliance with this requirement be achieved within 100 hours of time in service following 31 October 1979 (paragraph 10/79). This includes making placards and detailed engine restart procedures in case of inflight power interruptions readily available and ensuring that the crew is familiar with the procedures (paragraph 10/79). Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/CESSNA 205/14 can result in serious safety implications and potential legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state specific penalties or criminal consequences for non-compliance in this section. However, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which may include fines, suspension, or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness. Such actions are taken to ensure that the aircraft meets the necessary safety standards and that the risk of in-flight incidents is minimised. Operators and owners should be aware that non-compliance not only poses a risk to safety but can also result in significant administrative and financial repercussions.