AD/CESSNA 206/36 Amdt 1 - Bladder Type Fuel Cells

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, address the safety and maintenance requirements for aircraft within Australia, with the overarching aim to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft and protect public safety. Enacted by the Parliament of Australia, this legislation is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to maintain rigorous safety standards. The regulations establish a schedule of airworthiness directives, including amendments and requirements for various aircraft models, such as the Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address potential safety issues related to bladder type fuel cells in specific Cessna 206 models, ensuring that any wrinkles or folds in the fuel cells are identified and appropriately managed to prevent moisture or contaminants from compromising the fuel system. The policy objective of this legislation is to enforce mandatory inspections and maintenance procedures for specified aircraft components, ensuring that any identified defects are rectified promptly. The regulations require inspections of fuel cells in accordance with detailed Service Information Letters (SIL) and mandate that results are recorded in the aircraft log book. Non-compliance with these directives can lead to significant safety risks, thus the regulations provide clear timelines and procedures for compliance, ensuring that aircraft remain airworthy and safe for operation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety of aircraft operations within Australia. The scope of the regulation encompasses all Cessna 206 series aeroplanes with specific serial numbers as detailed in Cessna SIL SE 84-4. This requirement applies to aircraft that have not been modified in accordance with Cessna SIL SE 84-9, Rev 1, and to those that have undergone such modifications. The regulation mandates that fuel cells be inspected according to Cessna SIL SE 84-4, with the results recorded in the aircraft logbook. For cells that show wrinkles or folds, the fuel system must be purged to eliminate moisture or other contaminants. Compliance entails an initial inspection before further flight after 31 August 1984 for currently fitted cells and at the installation of any new cell post this date. For modified aircraft, additional instructions outlined in Attachment No. 1 of Cessna SIL SE 84-9 Rev 1 must be followed when future cell replacement is required. Additionally, for aircraft previously compliant with this directive, a logbook statement must be made before the issue of the next Maintenance Release after 30 June 1985.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, Section 105, include specific Airworthiness Directives (AD) for various aircraft models, including the Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes. One such AD, AD/CESSNA 206/36 Amendment 1B, pertains to bladder type fuel cells and mandates certain actions to ensure safety. The directive applies to all Cessna 206 models with serial numbers listed in Cessna SIL SE 84-4. Specifically, the directive requires that fuel cells be inspected in accordance with the instructions provided in Cessna SIL SE 84-4, with the results recorded in the aircraft's log book. If any fuel cells show signs of wrinkles or folds, the fuel system must be purged to remove moisture or other contaminants. Detailed instructions for purging the fuel system are provided in Cessna Owner Advisory SE 82-36A. To comply with this directive, operators of aircraft that have not been modified in line with Cessna SIL SE 84-9, Revision 1, must initially inspect the fuel cells before further flight after 31 August 1984, or at the installation of any new cell after this date. For cells that already showed unacceptable wrinkles or folds at the initial inspection, the system purging procedures must be repeated each time a new Maintenance Release is issued. Operators of aircraft that have been modified according to Cessna SIL SE 84-9, Revision 1, should follow additional instructions outlined in Attachment No. 1 of this SIL when replacing any fuel cells in the future. Furthermore, operators of aircraft that have already complied with previous issues of this directive must update their log book statements before the next Maintenance Release issued after 30 June 1985. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this directive may result in serious safety issues, including fuel system malfunctions that could lead to in-flight failures. The regulations do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance; however, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement actions against operators who fail to adhere to ADs. Such actions could include grounding the aircraft until compliance is achieved, fines, or other regulatory measures. The potential civil and criminal consequences underscore the importance of strict adherence to these safety directives.