AD/CESSNA 206/49 - Aircraft Repair

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, includes a directive aimed at addressing issues identified with aircraft repaired by Capricorn Aircraft Repair, located in Thangool, Queensland, between 2 December 1985 and 29 November 1990. This directive, AD/CESSNA 206/49, targets Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes and mandates a thorough inspection to ensure that repairs conducted during the specified period were performed according to approved data and that replacement components used are either identical to the original components or approved as suitable replacements. The underlying problem this directive addresses is the potential risk posed by non-compliant repairs, which could compromise the airworthiness of affected aircraft. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as the enacting body, aims to ensure compliance with safety standards to protect aviation safety. Aircraft found to be in non-compliance with the directive are required to rectify any deficiencies before further flight, and the Authority must be notified of any inspections conducted under this directive. Compliance is mandated at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release after 21 March 1991. The directive underscores the importance of adhering to approved repair data and components to maintain the integrity and safety of the aircraft in operation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates certain airworthiness directives for the Cessna 206 Series aeroplanes, including AD/CESSNA 206/49, which applies to all aircraft repaired by Capricorn Aircraft Repair in Thangool, Queensland, between 2 December 1985 and 29 November 1990. This directive requires an inspection to ascertain if the repairs carried out during this period comply with approved data and that the replacement components used match those they replaced or are approved as replacements. Failure to meet these criteria necessitates the rectification of any deficiencies before further flight, and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority must be notified of any inspected aircraft. Compliance with these regulations must be achieved at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release following 21 March 1991, prompted by discrepancies found in structural repair data and replacement components during an inspection of aircraft repaired by Capricorn Aircraft Repair. This regulation extends to the entire Commonwealth of Australia and applies to any aircraft falling within the specified repair period and repairer.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, includes a specific Airworthiness Directive (AD/CESSNA 206/49) for the Cessna 206 series aeroplanes. This directive pertains to aircraft repaired by Capricorn Aircraft Repair in Thangool, QLD, between 2 December 1985 and 29 November 1990. According to section (1) of the directive, these aircraft must undergo an inspection to verify that any previous repairs are in line with approved data and that any replacement components used are either identical to the originals or approved as replacements. Any discrepancies identified during the inspection must be rectified before the aircraft can fly again, as stated in Note 1. Note 2 requires that the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) be informed of any inspections conducted in response to this directive. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Aircraft owners and operators must ensure that inspections are conducted on their aircraft that fall under the scope of AD/CESSNA 206/49. This involves reviewing repair records and verifying that all repairs meet the standards set forth in the approved data. Owners and operators are also required to rectify any deficiencies identified during the inspection before allowing the aircraft to fly again. Furthermore, they must notify CASA of the inspection and any resulting actions taken. These obligations are designed to ensure that the safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft are maintained in accordance with regulatory standards. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/CESSNA 206/49 can result in significant consequences. The regulations stipulate that any aircraft found not to meet the directive’s requirements will need to have the deficiencies rectified before further flight. Non-compliance can potentially lead to enforcement actions by CASA, which may include grounding of the aircraft until the issues are addressed. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the directive, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can lead to civil penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which may include fines and other sanctions. In severe cases, criminal charges could also be pursued, particularly if the non-compliance results in safety hazards or incidents.