COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 206/23 Fuel Reservoir Fitting 5/78
Applicability: Model TU206 with S/Nos. U20603021 to U20603829.
Model TU206 with S/No. below U20603021 which has had a fuel reservoir assembly P/N 1216407-( )replaced with a fuel reservoir originating from Cessna since 1 July 1975.
Requirement: Inspect fuel reservoir upper fitting for correct inside diameter in accordance with Figure 1 of Cessna SL No. SE77-38.
Note: Attention is also drawn to Cessna SL No. SE78-2.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 May 1978.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended through legislative instruments such as F2006B05227, were enacted to address the need for comprehensive and updated regulations governing civil aviation safety in Australia. These regulations, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), aim to ensure that aircraft operations within Australia adhere to stringent safety standards, thereby protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of the national airspace. The specific directive AD/CESSNA 206/23 introduced under this legislative framework targets the inspection and maintenance of fuel reservoir fittings in certain Cessna 206 series aeroplanes, reflecting a commitment to addressing particular safety concerns related to fuel system integrity and potential failure risks. The requirement to inspect the fuel reservoir upper fitting for correct inside diameter within a specified timeframe highlights the regulatory focus on proactive maintenance and the prevention of in-flight incidents.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, applies to all operators of Cessna 206 Series aeroplanes that meet the specified serial number criteria, ensuring compliance with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s airworthiness directives. The regulation mandates inspections on the fuel reservoir upper fitting for specific model numbers and serial ranges, emphasising the necessity of adherence to the detailed instructions provided in Cessna Service Letters SE77-38 and SE78-2. This directive applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby affecting all operators within the national jurisdiction. Notably, the regulation does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the outlined serial numbers, and compliance is to be achieved within 100 hours of the aeroplane's time in service following the directive's issuance date of 31 May 1978. The scope of this legislative instrument is narrowly tailored to specific Cessna 206 models, ensuring that the safety measures are targeted and effectively implemented.
Key Provisions
The primary operative section of this Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 legislative instrument (part 39 - 105) concerns the applicability and requirements for the inspection of fuel reservoir fittings on specific models of the Cessna 206 series aeroplanes. This directive applies to Model TU206 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from U20603021 to U20603829, as well as those with earlier serial numbers that have had their fuel reservoir assembly replaced with a newer version originating from Cessna since 1 July 1975 (section 5/78). The requirement outlined in the legislation is for an inspection of the fuel reservoir's upper fitting to ensure it has the correct inside diameter, as detailed in Figure 1 of Cessna Service Letter SE77-38. This inspection is a critical safety measure, and attention is also directed to Cessna Service Letter SE78-2 for additional relevant information. Compliance with these inspection requirements must be achieved within 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service following 31 May 1978.
The obligations imposed by this legislative instrument on the parties or entities it governs are stringent and focused on ensuring the safety of the aircraft in question. Owners and operators of the specified Cessna 206 series aeroplanes must ensure that the fuel reservoir upper fittings are inspected according to the specifications provided in the relevant Cessna service letters. This obligation extends to any maintenance personnel responsible for conducting the inspection to adhere strictly to the prescribed methods and standards. The directive also imposes an obligation on the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to monitor and verify compliance with these requirements, ensuring that the safety standards are upheld across the aviation industry.
The legislative instrument clearly outlines the potential consequences for breaches of its provisions. Any failure to comply with the inspection requirements within the specified timeframe can result in significant legal and operational repercussions. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in this particular legislative instrument, breaches of civil aviation regulations can generally lead to enforcement actions by CASA. These actions can include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory penalties. In more serious cases, non-compliance can also result in criminal charges, leading to substantial fines and potential imprisonment for individuals or corporate entities found guilty of violating civil aviation safety regulations. The seriousness of these potential consequences underscores the importance of strict adherence to the provisions outlined in the legislative instrument.