AD/CESSNA 206/29 - Fuel Flow Stabilisation Placard

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, are fundamental in ensuring the safety of civil aviation within Australia. Among the various parts, Part 39 - 105 pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 206/29, specifically targets Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes, addressing the problem of excessive vapour in the fuel system which could lead to engine interruptions during flight. This legislative instrument aims to enhance flight safety by mandating compliance with the manufacturer’s guidelines, including the installation of a fuel flow stabilisation placard and following detailed engine restart procedures if necessary. The policy objective is to mitigate potential hazards that could arise from fuel system issues, ensuring the continued airworthiness and safety of the specified aircraft models.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the airworthiness directives for various aircraft models, including the Cessna 206 series aeroplanes. This regulation applies to specific serial numbers of the Cessna 206 models, namely those with serial numbers ranging from 206-0001 to 206-0136 with an SK206-2 installed, 206-0138 to 206-0275, and U206 models with serial numbers from U206-0276 to U206-04287, excluding certain numbers, and so on, as well as the P206 models with serial numbers from P206-0001 to P206-00647. The regulation mandates compliance with Cessna Service Information Letter No. SE79-25, Supplement No. 1, and references FAA AD 79-15-01, Amendment 39-3517. The requirement necessitates corrective action within 100 hours of time in service after 31 October 1979, primarily to address and mitigate excessive vapour from the aircraft fuel system and to provide guidance for inflight power interruption procedures and engine restarts. The regulation is jurisdictional within the Commonwealth of Australia and is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically AD/CESSNA 206/29, pertain to the Cessna 206 series aeroplanes and mandate the installation of a fuel flow stabilisation placard. This requirement is detailed under the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (paragraph 10/79). The directive applies to specific serial numbers of the Model 206, Model U206, and Model P206 aeroplanes (paragraphs 1-3). The action required is to follow the manufacturer's Service Information Letter (SIL) No. SE79-25, Supplement No. 1, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 79-15-01, Amendment 39-3517 (paragraph 6). The compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 October 1979 (paragraph 7). The obligations imposed by these regulations on the aircraft operators or owners include ensuring that the specified placards are installed on the applicable Cessna 206 series aeroplanes within the designated timeframe. They must also follow the detailed procedures provided by the manufacturer for recognising and addressing excessive vapour in the fuel system and executing engine restart procedures if necessary during flight (paragraphs 4 and 5). Compliance with these directives is mandatory and non-negotiable, as they are intended to maintain the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft. Failure to comply with these directives can result in significant legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take action against non-compliant aircraft, which could include grounding the aeroplane until the required modifications are made. Additionally, operators or owners who fail to adhere to these regulations may face financial penalties, as stipulated in the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The exact penalties can vary but are generally significant, reflecting the importance of adhering to airworthiness directives for safety reasons.