COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 206/42 Fuel System Water Drainage Placard 12/85 DM
Applicability: All models with S/Nos. as listed in Cessna SIL SE84-4.
Requirement: Install the following placard in clear view of the pilot on the instrument panel or surrounding structure:
“Refer Flight Manual for special fuel/water drain procedures”.
Compliance: 1. Before further flight after 31 December 1985.
2. Certification on the Maintenance Release may be made by a pilot endorsed on the aircraft type. Where a pilot has made the certification, a further certification at the next inspection for maintenance shall be made by any Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
Background: This Directive has been raised to bring to the attention of pilots an amendment to the approved Flight Manual requiring specific procedures to be followed after an aircraft has been exposed to rain, sleet, snow, or after fueling from drumstock or other unfiltered fuel source.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, addresses the safety standards and maintenance requirements for aircraft operating in Australian airspace. One such regulation, specifically AD/CESSNA 206/42, pertains to Cessna 206 Series aeroplanes and mandates the installation of a placard to alert pilots about the necessity to refer to the flight manual for special fuel/water drain procedures. This directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of water contamination in the fuel system, which can compromise the aircraft’s operational safety. Enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, the policy objective behind this regulation is to ensure that pilots are adequately informed and prepared to handle potential water ingress in the fuel system, particularly after exposure to adverse weather conditions or refuelling from non-filtered sources.
This legislative instrument underscores the importance of adhering to detailed maintenance and operational procedures as outlined in the aircraft’s flight manual, aiming to enhance flight safety and reduce the likelihood of in-flight incidents related to fuel contamination. By requiring a placard to be installed in clear view of the pilot, the regulation ensures that crucial information is readily accessible, thereby facilitating prompt and correct actions to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, encompasses a series of directives aimed at ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft in Australia. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 206/42, pertains to Cessna 206 Series aeroplanes and mandates the installation of a placard advising pilots to refer to the Flight Manual for special fuel/water drain procedures. This directive applies to all models of Cessna 206 Series aeroplanes with serial numbers as specified in the directive, ensuring that these aircraft adhere to specific safety requirements. The directive requires compliance by installing the required placard in a location clearly visible to the pilot before further flight after 31 December 1995. The directive also specifies that a pilot endorsed on the aircraft type may certify compliance, though a subsequent certification by a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer is required at the next maintenance inspection. This directive extends the regulatory oversight to ensure that any potential water contamination in the fuel system is properly managed, thus maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include a schedule of airworthiness directives (AD) for various aircraft, one of which is AD/CESSNA 206/42. This directive pertains to the Cessna 206 series aeroplanes and mandates the installation of a specific placard to ensure flight safety. According to section 12/85 of the directive, the placard must read, "Refer Flight Manual for special fuel/water drain procedures" and must be installed in a location where it is clearly visible to the pilot, either on the instrument panel or the surrounding structure. This requirement applies to all models of the Cessna 206 series with serial numbers as listed in Cessna SIL SE84-4. The directive aims to ensure that pilots are aware of the need to follow special fuel/water drain procedures after the aircraft has been exposed to adverse weather conditions or has been refuelled from unfiltered sources.
The obligations imposed by this directive are straightforward yet crucial for maintaining aircraft safety. Operators of Cessna 206 series aeroplanes must ensure the specified placard is installed before any further flight after 31 December 1985. Compliance with this directive can be certified by a pilot endorsed on the aircraft type, but it must be re-certified by a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer during the next scheduled inspection for maintenance. This dual certification ensures that both the pilot and the maintenance engineer are aware of and agree to the compliance status of the aircraft. The directive underscores the importance of adhering to the flight manual's instructions to prevent potential hazards related to water contamination in the fuel system.
Failure to comply with AD/CESSNA 206/42 could result in serious safety risks, as the placard is intended to remind pilots of the need to follow specific procedures to drain water from the fuel system. While the regulations do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance in this context, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to severe consequences under other sections of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. These consequences can include fines, suspension or revocation of an aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, or even criminal charges in cases of gross negligence or wilful misconduct. The potential penalties underscore the importance of strict adherence to the directive to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.