AD/CESSNA 206/45 - Passenger Seat Belt Fitting Spacer

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to regulate civil aviation safety and ensure compliance with international standards. This legislative instrument aims to address safety concerns and maintain the highest standards in airworthiness directives, particularly for specific aircraft models. The Act was introduced to fill the gap in the regulatory framework that was necessary to ensure the safety of air travel by issuing detailed directives for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 206/45, pertains to the Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the installation of passenger seat belt fitting spacers. The objective is to ensure that these aircraft meet the required safety standards and comply with the aircraft type design as stipulated in the Cessna Service Bulletin 86-4. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as part of its regulatory responsibilities, issues these airworthiness directives to address specific safety concerns and ensure compliance with established maintenance and operational standards. This directive for the Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes is an example of the authority's commitment to maintaining high safety standards by mandating the installation of spacers to ensure proper seat belt anchorage. The requirement must be met before the issue of the next Maintenance Release after 30 September 1986, highlighting the urgency and importance of these safety measures.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes, with particular attention to the airworthiness directives concerning the installation of passenger seat belt fitting spacers. This regulation mandates compliance for aircraft with specific serial numbers, namely from U20606908 to U20606912 and U20606914 to U20606928. The directive requires adherence to the Cessna Service Bulletin 86-4, which ensures that the seat belt anchorage aligns with the aircraft's type design. Compliance must be achieved before the issuance of the next Maintenance Release following 30 September 1986, unless the installation has already been completed. This regulation has a jurisdictional reach throughout the Commonwealth of Australia, governed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and aims to maintain stringent safety standards in civil aviation. While the primary focus of this directive is on the specified serial numbers of the Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes, it is part of a broader regulatory framework that ensures airworthiness and safety across the aviation sector. The application of this directive does not extend to other aircraft models or series, maintaining a targeted approach to safety enhancements. This regulation is an integral part of the overarching Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, reinforcing the commitment to safety through specific operational requirements and compliance measures.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, which are critical in maintaining the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. Under this part, Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 206/45 pertains to the Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes. This directive requires the installation of passenger seat belt fitting spacers on certain model U206 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from U20606908 to U20606912 and U20606914 to U20606928 (Section 1). The directive mandates compliance with Cessna Service Bulletin SEB 86-4, which details the specific actions necessary to install the spacers correctly. The requirement is that these actions must be completed before the next maintenance release following 30 September 1986 (Section 2). This installation is crucial to ensure that the seat belt anchorages conform to the aircraft's type design, thereby maintaining the safety standards set forth by CASA. Operators of the affected Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes have specific obligations under this directive. They must ensure that the installation of the passenger seat belt fitting spacers is carried out in accordance with the instructions provided in Cessna Service Bulletin SEB 86-4. This involves taking the necessary steps to verify that the spacers are installed correctly and that the seat belt anchorages meet the required specifications. The directive explicitly states that these actions must be completed before the next maintenance release following 30 September 1986, thereby setting a clear timeline for compliance (Section 3). Failure to adhere to these requirements can result in the aircraft not meeting the necessary safety standards, potentially leading to regulatory actions or safety risks. Failure to comply with the requirements of Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 206/45 can lead to significant consequences. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance in this particular directive, CASA has the authority to take action against operators who do not adhere to airworthiness directives. Such actions can include fines, suspension of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate, or other regulatory measures that could affect the operation of the aircraft. The overarching goal is to ensure that all aircraft meet the required safety standards to protect passengers and crew. Non-compliance not only poses safety risks but can also result in legal and financial repercussions for the operators (Section 4).