Overview

The Airworthiness Directive issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 addresses an identified unsafe condition in certain models of Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes. This directive, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on 16 May 2001 and published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 23 May 2001, is aimed at ensuring the airworthiness of affected aircraft by requiring inspections and, if necessary, the replacement of specific horizontal stabiliser attachment brackets. The directive was enacted in response to a report that these brackets were manufactured without essential seam welds, which could potentially lead to structural failure and loss of control. The objective is to mitigate this risk by mandating that inspections be conducted within 20 hours of the aircraft being in service after the directive's effective date, and to replace any deficient brackets to maintain the structural integrity of the aircraft.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive applies to specific models and serial numbers of Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes, namely those identified within the stated serial number ranges. It mandates a visual inspection of the left and right horizontal stabiliser attachment brackets to verify the presence of seam welds, as detailed in the directive, using the instructions provided in Cessna Service Bulletin SB00-55-03. In the event that the inspection reveals a lack of seam welds, the directive requires that the deficient brackets be replaced with new or serviceable parts that comply with the requirements stipulated in this AD. This AD becomes effective on 23 May 2001 and must be complied with within 20 hours of the aircraft being in service after this date, unless the required action has already been taken. The directive is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, extending its regulatory reach to ensure compliance with safety standards throughout the country.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) are detailed in the requirement section (section 3), which specifies the actions to be taken to correct the unsafe condition. Section 3 mandates a visual inspection of the left and right horizontal stabiliser attachment reinforcement brackets, part number 1232624-1, to check for the existence of seam welds along both the lower inboard and outboard wall/flange. The inspection must be carried out in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions provided in Cessna Service Bulletin SB00-55-03, dated 28 August 2000, and the applicable maintenance manual. If no seam welds are found, the deficient bracket(s) must be replaced with a new or serviceable part number 1232624-1 attachment reinforcement bracket that complies with the requirements of this Directive. This action is necessary to mitigate the risk of structural failure of the horizontal stabiliser and subsequent loss of control of the aircraft. The AD imposes specific obligations and requirements on the parties governed by it. Operators of Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes within the specified model and serial number range must ensure that the required inspections and repairs are conducted within the specified timeframe. This involves conducting the visual inspection as per the detailed instructions and replacing any brackets found to be deficient with a compliant part. The AD also references FAA AD 2001-09-06 Amdt 39-12211, indicating that operators should be aware of and comply with related directives and amendments from other jurisdictions, as applicable. Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD can result in civil and criminal consequences. Section 4 of the AD specifies that the non-compliant actions must be completed within 20 hours of the aircraft being in service after 23 May 2001, unless the required actions have already been accomplished. Non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which could include fines, enforcement notices, or other regulatory sanctions. The seriousness of the potential safety hazard implies that severe penalties might be imposed in the event of non-compliance, although specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the AD itself.