COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 206/47
Amdt 2
Applicability: All models.
Rear Door Emergency Exit 8/91
Requirement: 1. a. Remove existing cargo door “Emergency Exit Operation” placards.
1. b. Paint white all of the aft cargo door latch lever recess on both forward and aft doors to under the soft door trim, or otherwise visibly highlight location of lever.
1. c. i. Install a new placard on the forward pillar of the aft door, centred approximately 150 mm above the window sill line. The placard shall read:
- c. ii. Lettering for the placard is to be white on a red background or black on a yellow background and is to be no less than 3.5mm high. The letters of the words “RESTOW RED LEVER” and “FORCE” are to be at least 40% larger than the other lettering; or
2. Modify cargo door in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin SEB 91-4.
Compliance: The compliance date of the previous issue of this Directive was 1 June 1988. This reissue is effective from 8 August 1991.
Background: This Directive was the result of a number of occurrences both in Australia and overseas where during an emergency there has been difficulty opening the cargo doors with the flaps down. Amdt 1 provided for a yellow and black placard.
As a result of requests from the Australian and United Kingdom authorities, Cessna has now issued a service kit to improve the cargo door mechanism. Amdt 2 has been raised to permit incorporation of this kit as an alternative.
Compliance with the Cessna Service Bulletin is preferred but not mandatory.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, govern civil aviation operations within the country. One aspect of these regulations pertains to the airworthiness directives for specific aircraft, such as the Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes, through amendments and directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The problem this piece of legislation addresses is the recurring difficulty in opening cargo doors during emergencies, which has been identified in various incidents both in Australia and internationally, particularly when the aircraft flaps are down. The objective of the legislation is to enhance the safety and operational readiness of the aircraft by ensuring that emergency exits are readily accessible in critical situations. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 thus serve to mandate specific modifications to aircraft components to mitigate risks and improve emergency response capabilities.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate that the Airworthiness Directives concerning the Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes apply to all models of these aircraft. The directive aims to ensure safety by requiring modifications to the aft cargo door emergency exit mechanism, specifically addressing issues encountered during emergencies when the aircraft's flaps are down. The directive stipulates the removal of existing emergency exit placards, painting or highlighting the aft cargo door latch lever recess, and installing a new placard on the forward pillar of the aft door with specific size and colour requirements. Alternatively, compliance can be achieved by modifying the cargo door in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin SEB 91-4. This regulation applies nationwide, enforcing safety standards across the Commonwealth of Australia. It does not specify exclusions or exemptions but does indicate that compliance with the Cessna Service Bulletin is preferred, though not mandatory. The directive's applicability extends through subordinate instruments that may provide further details or amendments to ensure ongoing compliance and safety within the aviation industry.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes a detailed directive for the Cessna 206 Series aeroplanes, AD/CESSNA 206/47 Amendment 2. This directive applies to all models within the series and focuses on the rear door emergency exit (sections 1a, 1b, 1c). Primarily, the directive requires the removal of existing placards (section 1a), painting the aft cargo door latch lever recess to ensure visibility (section 1b), and installing a new placard on the forward pillar of the aft door with specific colour and size requirements (section 1c). Alternatively, operators may modify the cargo door according to Cessna Service Bulletin SEB 91-4 (section 2).
These requirements impose several obligations on the operators of Cessna 206 Series aeroplanes. Operators must ensure that all cargo doors comply with the directive's stipulations. This includes the removal of the old placards, the painting of the specified areas on the cargo door, and the installation of the new placards as directed. Operators also have the option to modify the cargo door according to the service bulletin, which is considered preferable but not mandatory. Compliance with these requirements is essential to ensure the safety of passengers and crew during emergency situations.
Failure to comply with the directives outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in significant consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the legislative instrument, breaches of airworthiness directives can generally lead to severe penalties under civil aviation law. These can include fines, the grounding of aircraft, and other enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The severity of the penalties can depend on the nature and impact of the non-compliance, with potential maximum penalties varying based on the specific breach and its consequences. Operators must therefore ensure strict adherence to the directive to avoid these repercussions.