AD/CESSNA 205/9 - Front Seat Restraint Installation

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, form a comprehensive framework governing the regulation of civil aviation within Australia. One particular legislative instrument, F2006B05213, addresses a specific safety concern relating to the Cessna 205 (210-5) Series aeroplanes. This instrument, issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, was introduced to address the gap in safety measures by mandating the installation of front seat restraints in these aircraft models. The policy objective behind this directive is to enhance the safety of aircrew and passengers by ensuring that all front seat restraints are modified to include an approved safety harness, thereby reducing the risk of injury during flight. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, through this legislative instrument, aims to ensure compliance with the new safety requirements by setting a deadline of 1 September 1972 for all modifications to be completed. This directive underscores the regulatory body's commitment to maintaining high safety standards in the aviation industry, particularly in addressing known vulnerabilities in aircraft design and operational safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, applies to all Cessna 205 (210-5) series aeroplanes within the Commonwealth of Australia. The regulation mandates that these aircraft must comply with Airworthiness Directives, which require the installation of a safety harness in each front seat to enhance pilot safety. This requirement applies uniformly across all models of the specified aircraft series, ensuring a consistent standard of safety throughout the fleet. The directive must be adhered to before 1 September 1972, setting a clear deadline for compliance. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority oversees the enforcement of this directive, ensuring that all modifications are made in accordance with an approved scheme. While the regulation sets forth specific requirements, it does not explicitly exclude any particular entities or transactions from its purview, thereby encompassing all relevant operators and operators of the affected aircraft within its scope.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the installation of safety harnesses in front seat restraints for all Cessna 205 (210-5) series aeroplanes, as detailed in Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 205/9. This directive, issued on 10 July 1971, applies to all models within this series. The requirement is that each front seat restraint installation must be modified to fit a safety harness, which must comply with a scheme approved by the Secretary. The compliance deadline for these modifications was set before 1 September 1972. Operators and owners of Cessna 205 (210-5) series aeroplanes are obliged to ensure that the modifications are carried out as per the directive. This includes verifying that the safety harnesses are installed correctly and in accordance with the approved scheme. Operators must maintain records of compliance and be prepared to demonstrate adherence to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) requirements upon request. Failure to comply with the directive could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential grounding until the modifications are completed. Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/CESSNA 205/9 may result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority may take enforcement action against operators who do not adhere to the directive. Potential civil penalties can include fines and, in severe cases, the suspension or revocation of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate. Additionally, operators may face criminal charges if their failure to comply results in endangering safety. The maximum penalties can vary depending on the severity of the breach and the resulting impact on aviation safety.