AD/CESSNA 206/21 Amdt 2 - Turbocharger Thrust Bearing Pin and Centre Housing Assembly

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australian airspace. This legislation, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, aims to ensure that civil aircraft meet specific safety standards and operational requirements to protect the travelling public, crew, and ground personnel. One of the directives within this regulation is AD/CESSNA 206/21 Amendment 2, which pertains to the turbocharger thrust bearing pin and centre housing assembly for the Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address potential safety risks associated with the turbocharger assemblies of certain models, ensuring that they are maintained or replaced to prevent failures that could lead to catastrophic in-flight incidents. The directive sets out specific compliance requirements for the incorporation of service kits and inspections to be performed by approved organisations, with a clear timeframe for adherence to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of the affected aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to aircraft operators and maintenance organisations involved with the specified model of Cessna 206 Series aeroplanes equipped with certain turbochargers. The regulation mandates compliance with Airworthiness Directives (AD) concerning the turbocharger thrust bearing pin and centre housing assembly. The directive applies to the TU206 model fitted with either a Cessna P/N C295001-0101 or Airesearch P/N 4-06610-5 (new) or 406610-9004 (remanufactured) turbocharger, with serial numbers listed in the specified Cessna Service Letter. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, as it is a Commonwealth enactment, applying across Australia. The AD requires specific actions to be taken within 100 hours of time in service after 30 April 1978. These include incorporating a service kit into turbochargers that have not already had it and inspecting those that have had the service kit applied in the field. Compliance with these directives is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and ensures the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft. The regulations do not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, but the applicability is narrowly defined by the serial number prefixes and specific parts involved.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, include a schedule of airworthiness directives for various aircraft models. One such directive pertains to Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes (AD/CESSNA 206/21 Amdt 2). This directive addresses the turbocharger thrust bearing pin and centre housing assembly, with a focus on specific serial numbers of these components. The applicable models are those fitted with certain turbochargers: Cessna P/N C295001-0101 or Airesearch P/N 4-06610-5 (new) or 406610-9004 (remanufactured), which have serial number prefixes listed in Cessna Service Letter No. SE77-3, Supplement No. 2. The directive consists of two main parts. Part 1 requires that turbochargers which have not previously had the Cessna Service Kit No. SK 210-75 incorporated must be modified by an approved organisation in accordance with Cessna Service Letter No. SE77-3, Supplement No. 3. This modification is intended to address potential safety concerns associated with the turbocharger thrust bearing pin and centre housing assembly. Part 2 pertains to turbochargers that have already had the service kit incorporated in the field. These turbochargers must undergo an inspection in accordance with Cessna Service Letter No. SE77-42. The directive mandates that both parts of the requirement be met within 100 hours of time in service after 30 April 1978. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for the specified models and serial numbers of turbochargers. Operators of these aircraft must ensure that the necessary modifications or inspections are conducted by the specified deadlines. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding and other regulatory actions. The directive underscores the importance of adhering to specific maintenance and modification protocols to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. In terms of enforcement, breaches of the requirements outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in significant consequences. Civil penalties may be imposed for non-compliance, including fines and potential revocation of operating certificates. Additionally, there may be criminal penalties for wilful or reckless disregard of the regulations, which could include imprisonment. The specific penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument but are generally governed by the broader civil aviation legislation and can vary based on the severity and intent of the breach. Operators and approved organisations must, therefore, take the directive seriously and ensure full compliance to avoid these potential consequences.