AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 205/21 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Cessna 205 (210-5) Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 205/21
Amdt 2
Forward Door Post Bulkhead 3/2002
Applicability: All models that do not have Cessna Service Kit SK210-156 as per Cessna SEB 95-19 or Cessna Service Kit SK206-42 as per Cessna SEB 93-5 Revision 1.
Requirement: 1. Visually inspect for cracks at the inside edge of the left hand and right hand bend relief notches of the forward door post bulkhead.
2. Visually inspect for loose or working fasteners securing the lower strut end pick- up fitting to the forward door post bulkhead. The inspection areas and typical crack location are shown in the diagram below.
Note 1: Inspection in accordance with Requirement 1 will initially require removal of certain floor panels. Incorporation of inspection holes in accordance with an approved modification will allow inspection of the relief notch without requiring removal of the floor panels.
Note 2: Inspection in accordance with Requirement 2 may be accomplished from outside the aircraft via the hole exposed by removing the lower wing strut fairing.
Cessna 205 (210-5) Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 205/21 Amdt 2 (continued)
Compliance: Inspect before exceeding 2000 hours aircraft time in service, before 100 hours time in service after 20 July 1995 or before 500 hours time in service since last inspected in accordance with this Directive, whichever occurs last. Thereafter inspect at intervals not to exceed 500 hours time in service.
Note: Repaired or modified structure must continue to be inspected unless a variation to the requirements of this AD has been approved.
This amendment becomes effective on 21 March 2002.
Background: Numerous reports have been received of cracking in this area on Cessna models 182, 205 and 206. The bend relief notch in the bulkhead serves as a stress concentration notch, causing fatigue cracks to propagate across the bulkhead web. The strut attachment area forms part of the wing’s primary load path, and loss of strength in this area could be catastrophic. Although most of this area is covered by the strut attach fitting and a bulkhead reinforcement doubler, the inside edge of the bulkhead, where the cracks have been initiating, is visible without removing the lower strut attachment fitting.
Amendment 2 of this Airworthiness Directive is issued to allow the installation of the appropriate Cessna Service Kit as terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirement.
Amendment 1 reduces the initial threshold time for inspection as several model 206 and 182 aircraft have been found cracked at less than 4000 hours. Cessna Single Engine Service Bulletin SEB 93-5, for the model 206, provides background information.
Amendment 1of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 20 July 1995.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 27 April 1995.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 4 February 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 27 February 2002.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 205/21 Amdt 2, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on 4 February 2002, addresses the critical issue of cracking at the forward door post bulkhead in Cessna 205 (210-5) Series Aeroplanes. This AD revokes the previous Amendment 1 and mandates specific visual inspections to detect potential structural weaknesses that could lead to catastrophic failures. The directive aims to ensure the continued safety of these aircraft by requiring inspections at critical intervals, particularly focusing on the inside edge of the left and right-hand bend relief notches of the forward door post bulkhead, and the fasteners securing the lower strut end pick-up fitting. The CASA delegate, David Alan Villiers, issued this amendment in response to numerous reports of cracking in similar aircraft models, emphasising the importance of timely inspections to prevent structural failures.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 205/21 Amdt 2, issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, applies to all Cessna 205 (210-5) Series Aeroplanes that do not have Cessna Service Kit SK210-156 as per Cessna SEB 95-19 or Cessna Service Kit SK206-42 as per Cessna SEB 93-5 Revision 1. This directive mandates specific visual inspections for cracks at the inside edge of the left and right hand bend relief notches of the forward door post bulkhead, and for loose or working fasteners securing the lower strut end pick-up fitting to the forward door post bulkhead. The inspections must be conducted before exceeding 2000 hours of aircraft time in service, before 100 hours of time in service after 20 July 1995, or before 500 hours of time in service since the last inspection in accordance with this directive, whichever occurs last, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service. Repaired or modified structures must continue to be inspected unless a variation to the requirements of this AD has been approved. This AD, which amends and revokes the previous AD/CESSNA 205/21 Amdt 1, is applicable nationally across Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 205/21 Amdt 2, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, pertains specifically to the Cessna 205 (210-5) Series Aeroplanes. This directive mandates inspections and corrective actions for all models of these aircraft that do not have specific service kits installed, namely Cessna Service Kit SK210-156 or Cessna Service Kit SK206-42. The primary focus of the directive is on the forward door post bulkhead and the lower strut end pick-up fitting. Owners and operators must visually inspect for cracks at the inside edge of the left and right-hand bend relief notches of the forward door post bulkhead (section 1), and for loose or working fasteners securing the lower strut end pick-up fitting to the forward door post bulkhead (section 2). These inspections must occur before the aircraft reaches 2000 hours of service, before 100 hours of service after 20 July 1995, or before 500 hours of service since the last inspection in accordance with this directive, whichever is the latest. Subsequent inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of service (section Compliance).
The obligations imposed on the parties governed by this AD are stringent and clear. Aircraft owners and operators are required to ensure that the specified inspections are conducted by qualified personnel. They must also ensure that any required modifications or repairs are performed in accordance with the instructions set forth in the AD and approved modification processes. Additionally, any repaired or modified structures must continue to be inspected unless a variation to the AD requirements has been approved by CASA. The AD also stipulates that the installation of inspection holes or approved modifications should be carried out to facilitate easier and less invasive inspections of the bulkhead.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this AD can result in severe consequences. While the AD itself does not explicitly detail the penalties for non-compliance, non-compliance with CASA directives generally can lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. Potential penalties may include fines and legal actions against the aircraft operator, and in severe cases, grounding of the aircraft. Such consequences underscore the importance of adhering to the AD's requirements to maintain the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft.