AD/CESSNA 205/16 Amdt 1 - Bladder Type Fuel Cells

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, introduced a series of airworthiness directives aimed at ensuring the safety of civil aviation, particularly addressing specific issues related to aircraft models and their maintenance. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 205/16, was enacted to address concerns with bladder type fuel cells in Cessna 205 (210-5) series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to mandate inspections and maintenance actions for these fuel cells to prevent potential issues such as wrinkles or folds that could compromise the integrity of the fuel system. The objective of this directive is to enhance the safety and reliability of the aircraft by ensuring that fuel cells are inspected regularly and maintained in accordance with specified guidelines, thus mitigating risks associated with fuel system contamination. The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and requires compliance from aircraft operators, particularly those with specific serial numbers as listed in the referenced documents. The policy objective behind AD/CESSNA 205/16 is to ensure that all aircraft meet stringent safety standards, thereby protecting the public and maintaining the high safety record of civil aviation in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, addresses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for certain aircraft models, including the Cessna 205 (210-5) Series Aeroplanes, as outlined in AD/CESSNA 205/16 Amendment 1. This legislation applies to all aircraft models with serial numbers as detailed in Cessna SIL SE 84-4, mandating inspections of bladder type fuel cells and the recording of results in the aircraft log book. The requirement includes the purging of the fuel system of any moisture or contaminants if the fuel cells show wrinkles or folds. Compliance with these directives is crucial for aircraft that have not been modified in accordance with Cessna SIL SE 84-9, Rev 1, which necessitates inspections before further flight after 31 August 1984 for currently fitted cells and upon installation of any cell after that date. For aircraft modified according to Cessna SIL SE 84-9, Rev 1, additional instructions regarding cell replacement are specified in Attachment No. 1 of Cessna SIL SE 84-9 Rev 1. Moreover, for aircraft that have complied with the previous issue of this Directive, a log book statement must be made before the issue of the next Maintenance Release after 30 June 1985. This regulation applies nationally within Australia, governed by the Commonwealth.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, establish the framework for the Airworthiness Directives concerning aircraft safety. Section 105 of this regulation pertains to the safety directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The particular directive in focus here, AD/CESSNA 205/16 Amendment 1B, addresses the bladder type fuel cells in Cessna 205 (210-5) Series aeroplanes. This directive mandates that all models with specific serial numbers, as listed in Cessna SIL SE 84-4, must undergo inspections of their fuel cells. The requirement is to inspect these cells in accordance with Cessna SIL SE 84-4 and record the results in the aircraft’s log book. If any fuel cells show signs of wrinkles or folds, the fuel system must be purged to remove any moisture or contaminants, as per the additional instructions in Cessna Owner Advisory SE 82-36A. The obligations imposed by this directive are detailed and specific. For aircraft not modified in accordance with Cessna SIL SE 84-9, Rev 1, the inspection must be conducted before any further flight after 31 August 1984 for cells already installed and at the installation of any new cell post this date. If unacceptable wrinkles or folds are detected during the initial inspection, the fuel system must be purged before each issue of a new Maintenance Release. For aircraft modified as per Cessna SIL SE 84-9, Rev 1, further instructions specified in Attachment No. 1 of Cessna SIL SE 84-9 Rev 1 must be followed when a cell replacement is necessary. Moreover, aircraft that have previously complied with this directive must have a log book statement before the issue of the next Maintenance Release after 30 June 1985. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this Airworthiness Directive can result in significant consequences. Although the regulations do not explicitly state the penalties, non-compliance with CASA directives typically falls under the broader regulatory framework, where breaches can result in civil or criminal penalties. For civil aviation, such breaches may lead to enforcement actions including fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other administrative measures. In more serious cases, the breaches might also result in criminal charges, potentially leading to substantial fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance.