COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 206/27
Amdt 1
Vented Fuel Caps 8/80
Applicability: Model 206 with S/Nos. 206-0001 to 206-0275.
Model U206 and TU206 with S/Nos. U206-0276 to U206-1444 and U20601445 to U20601666.
Model P206 and TP206 with S/Nos. P206-0001 to P206-0603 and P20600604 to P20600647.
Requirement: Install vented fuel cap(s) in accordance with Cessna SL No. SE77-6.
Note: FAA AD 79-10-14, Amendment 39-3475 refers.
Note: Installation of a placard is not an acceptable alternative to installation of vented fuel caps.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 August 1979 or before 1 January 1980, whichever is the later.
Background: To guard against the possibility of either an obstructed primary vent or sticking of the fuel tank vent valve it has been found necessary to provide secondary venting in the form of vented fuel caps. Due to some misinterpretation of this Directive a NOTE has now been added to disallow the fitting of a placard.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by F2006B05231, aim to address safety concerns related to fuel caps on Cessna 206 series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, these regulations are designed to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft by requiring the installation of vented fuel caps to prevent obstructions or malfunctions in the primary vent system. The policy objective is to enhance safety and compliance within the aviation industry, specifically targeting the risk of fuel tank issues that could arise from inadequate venting. The regulation applies to a range of model series and serial numbers, with a requirement to install the specified components within a defined timeframe, thereby ensuring that aircraft meet the necessary safety standards.
The legislative instrument introduces a specific amendment (AD/CESSNA 206/27) that mandates the installation of vented fuel caps in accordance with Cessna Service Letter SE77-6, clarifying that a placard is not an acceptable substitute. This directive addresses a gap in compliance by explicitly prohibiting any alternative measures, thereby reinforcing the importance of adhering to the prescribed safety measures. The regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring that the required modifications are implemented effectively to safeguard aviation safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, applies to specific models and serial numbers of Cessna 206 Series aeroplanes, namely the Model 206 with serial numbers ranging from 206-0001 to 206-0275, Model U206 and TU206 with serial numbers from U206-0276 to U206-1444 and U206-01445 to U206-01666, as well as Model P206 and TP206 with serial numbers from P206-0001 to P206-0603 and P206-0604 to P206-0647. This regulation is intended to ensure compliance with airworthiness directives concerning the installation of vented fuel caps to prevent potential issues such as obstructed primary vents or sticking fuel tank vent valves. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, requiring the installation of vented fuel caps in accordance with Cessna Service Letter SE77-6, within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1979, or before 1 January 1980, whichever is later. It is explicitly stated that the installation of a placard is not a permissible alternative to the installation of vented fuel caps, as indicated by the FAA AD 79-10-14, Amendment 39-3475. This regulation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, applying uniformly under federal jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandate the installation of vented fuel caps for certain models of Cessna 206 series aeroplanes, as outlined in AD/CESSNA 206/27 Amendment 1. This Airworthiness Directive applies to Model 206 with serial numbers ranging from 206-0001 to 206-0275, Model U206 and TU206 with serial numbers from U206-0276 to U206-1444 and U206-1445 to U206-1666, and Model P206 and TP206 with serial numbers from P206-0001 to P206-0603 and P206-0604 to P206-0647. The requirement is to install vented fuel caps in accordance with Cessna Service Letter SE77-6, referencing FAA AD 79-10-14, Amendment 39-3475. It is explicitly stated that a placard is not an acceptable alternative to the installation of these vented fuel caps.
Compliance with these regulations must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1979, or before 1 January 1980, whichever date is later. This directive was issued to mitigate the risk of obstructed primary vents or sticking of the fuel tank vent valve, thus necessitating secondary venting via the vented fuel caps. To avoid any confusion, it is noted that installation of a placard does not satisfy the requirement for vented fuel caps, as some parties had previously misinterpreted the directive.
Entities and individuals governed by these regulations must ensure that the specified models of Cessna 206 aeroplanes are fitted with the appropriate vented fuel caps within the stipulated timeframe. This includes verifying that the installation adheres strictly to Cessna Service Letter SE77-6 and that no placards are used as a substitute. Non-compliance with these directives can result in significant safety risks and potential regulatory action.
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose serious consequences for any breach of the outlined provisions. Failure to install the required vented fuel caps within the specified timeframe may result in civil or criminal penalties. Although the exact penalties are not detailed in this particular directive, general aviation regulations often impose fines and potential grounding of non-compliant aircraft, which can have severe financial and operational repercussions for the operators. Furthermore, persistent non-compliance could lead to the revocation of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate, effectively grounding the aeroplane until the required modifications are made.