AD/CESSNA 206/31 - Flying Control System Turnbuckles

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended through the legislative instrument F2006B05236, introduces specific safety directives to address identified risks in certain aircraft models. Enacted by the Australian Parliament, this legislation aims to ensure the safety of civil aviation by imposing mandatory airworthiness directives on particular aircraft. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 206/31, targets Cessna 206 Series aeroplanes with serial numbers between 20603641 and 20605253, focusing on the flying control system turnbuckles. The directive mandates compliance with Cessna SIL No. SE 80-16 within 100 hours of time in service after 30 April 1980, addressing the risk of longitudinal cracks in the AN 155 brass turnbuckles, which could compromise the integrity of the control system. This proactive measure is designed to maintain the high safety standards required by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, thereby safeguarding the aviation industry and the public.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically address the application of airworthiness directives for various aircraft, including the Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes. This particular legislative instrument, AD/CESSNA 206/31, applies to all Cessna 206 models with serial numbers ranging from 20603641 to 20605253. The directive mandates that these aircraft must adhere to the Service Information Letter (SIL) No. SE 80-16 issued by Cessna, which pertains to the flying control system turnbuckles. The requirement necessitates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 April 1980 to address the potential issue of longitudinal cracks in the AN 155 brass turnbuckles. The regulation is geographically applicable throughout the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all relevant aircraft operators and maintenance personnel within this jurisdiction adhere to the specified safety measures.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, detail the requirements for the Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes in AD/CESSNA 206/31. This directive pertains to flying control system turnbuckles and applies to all model 206 aircraft with serial numbers (S/Nos) ranging from 20603641 to 20605253. The directive mandates that action must be taken in accordance with Cessna Service Information Letter (SIL) No. SE 80-16. This action is crucial to address potential issues with AN 155 brass turnbuckles used in the control system, which may exhibit longitudinal cracks radiating from the end of the turnbuckle. The primary obligation under this directive is for the aircraft owners or operators to ensure that the specified action, as outlined in Cessna SIL No. SE 80-16, is carried out. The directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service following 30 April 1980. This means that the aircraft must undergo the prescribed maintenance or repair procedure within this timeframe to maintain its airworthiness. Failure to comply with this directive can result in the aircraft being considered unairworthy, which can lead to significant operational and safety risks. Breaching the requirements of AD/CESSNA 206/31 can result in serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance can be classified as an offence. The penalties for such offences may include fines and potential imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach and the discretion of the court. The maximum penalty for an individual who commits an offence under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 can extend to significant financial penalties and imprisonment for up to five years. For corporate entities, the fines can be even more substantial, reflecting the gravity of non-compliance with airworthiness directives that are critical to ensuring the safety of air travel.