AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 206/48 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 206/48
Amdt 2
Forward Door Post Bulkhead 3/2002
Applicability: All models that do not have Cessna Service Kit SK206-42 or SK206-42A or SK206- 42B or SK206-42C, as per Cessna SEB 93-5 Revision 1.
Requirement: 1. Visually inspect for cracks at the inside edge of the left hand and right hand bend relief notches of the forward door post bulkhead.
2. Visually inspect for loose or working fasteners securing the lower strut end pick- up fitting to the forward door post bulkhead. The inspection areas and typical crack location are shown in the diagram below.
Note 1: Inspection in accordance with Requirement 1 will initially require removal of certain floor panels. Incorporation of inspection holes in accordance with an approved modification will allow inspection of the relief notch without requiring removal of the floor panels.
Note 2: Inspection in accordance with Requirement 2 may be accomplished from outside the aircraft via the hole exposed by removing the lower wing strut fairing.
Note 3: Cessna Single Engine Service Bulletin SEB 93-5 refers.
Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 206/48 Amdt 2 (continued)
Compliance: Inspect before exceeding 2000 hours aircraft time in service, before 100 hours time in service after 20 July 1995 or before 500 hours time in service since last inspected in accordance with this Directive, whichever occurs last. Thereafter inspect at intervals not to exceed 500 hours time in service.
Note: Unless a variation to the requirements of this AD has been approved, repaired or modified structure must continue to be inspected.
This amendment becomes effective on 31 March 2002.
Background: Numerous reports have been received of cracking in this area on Cessna models 206 and 182. The bend relief notch in the bulkhead serves as a stress concentration notch, causing fatigue cracks to propagate across the bulkhead web. The strut attachment area forms part of the wing’s primary load path, and loss of strength in this area could be catastrophic. Although most of this area is covered by the strut attach fitting and a bulkhead reinforcement doubler, the inside edge of the bulkhead, where the cracks have been initiating, is visible without removing the lower strut attachment fitting.
Amendment 2 of this Airworthiness Directive is issued to allow the installation of the appropriate Cessna Service Kit as terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirement.
Amendment 1 reduces the initial threshold time for inspection as several model 206 aircraft have been found cracked at less than 5000 hours.
Amendment 1of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 20 July 1995.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 27 April 1995.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 4 February 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 27 February 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has issued Amendment 2 to the Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 206/48, which addresses safety concerns identified in the forward door post bulkhead of certain Cessna 206 Series aeroplanes. The AD was enacted to ensure the safe operation of these aircraft by mandating inspections for cracks and loose fasteners in the forward door post bulkhead, areas identified as critical stress points. The objective of the AD is to prevent potential catastrophic failures by enforcing regular inspections before specific flight hour thresholds and at intervals thereafter. This legislative instrument was introduced to fill the gap caused by the identified risk of structural failure due to fatigue cracks in the bulkhead, which could compromise the aircraft's integrity and safety. This AD reflects the policy objective of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to maintain and enhance the safety standards of Australian aviation through proactive regulatory measures.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 206/48 Amdt 2 applies to all models of Cessna 206 series aeroplanes that have not been equipped with Cessna Service Kits SK206-42, SK206-42A, SK206-42B, or SK206-42C as per Cessna Service Bulletin SEB 93-5 Revision 1. This AD mandates specific actions to address the identified unsafe condition in the aircraft, requiring visual inspections of the forward door post bulkhead for cracks at the inside edge of the left and right hand bend relief notches, as well as loose or working fasteners securing the lower strut end pick-up fitting to the bulkhead. The directive is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and extends to any entities operating such aircraft within the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The AD stipulates that inspections must be conducted before the aircraft exceeds 2000 hours of time in service, before 100 hours of time in service after 20 July 1995, or before 500 hours since the last inspection in accordance with this directive, whichever occurs last. Subsequent inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service. This AD does not apply to aircraft that have already been modified with the specified Cessna Service Kits. The directive was issued to address the issue of cracking in the bulkhead area, which poses a significant safety risk due to its role in the primary load path of the wing. The AD became effective on 31 March 2002, and its requirements must be adhered to by all relevant operators within the Australian jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 206/48 Amdt 2 (section 3) specifically targets the forward door post bulkhead of the Cessna 206 Series aeroplanes, requiring certain inspections to be conducted. This directive applies to all models of the Cessna 206 series that do not have Cessna Service Kit SK206-42, SK206-42A, SK206-42B, or SK206-42C installed (section 3). The primary requirements of the AD involve conducting visual inspections for cracks at the inside edge of the left and right bend relief notches of the forward door post bulkhead and inspecting for loose or working fasteners securing the lower strut end pick-up fitting to the bulkhead (section 3). These inspections must be done in accordance with specific instructions provided in the directive, with certain visual inspections potentially requiring the removal of floor panels, although approved modifications can allow for inspection without removal (section 3).
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Owners, operators, and maintenance personnel must ensure that the inspections are performed before exceeding 2000 hours of aircraft time in service, before 100 hours of time in service after 20 July 1995, or before 500 hours of time in service since the last inspection in accordance with this Directive, whichever occurs last (section 3). Subsequent inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service (section 3). Additionally, any repaired or modified structure must continue to be inspected unless a variation to the requirements of this AD has been approved (section 3).
Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD may result in severe consequences. While the AD does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties, non-compliance with airworthiness directives issued under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 could potentially lead to civil or criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach and the specific regulations violated (section 3). The maximum penalties for such violations could vary, but they are generally significant, reflecting the critical nature of maintaining aircraft airworthiness.