AD/CESSNA 207/13 Amdt 2 - Turbocharger Thrust Bearing Pin and Centre Housing Assembly

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, established under the authority of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, is a crucial framework governing the safety and operational standards of civil aviation within Australia. One of the legislative instruments under this act, specifically within Part 39 - 105, is the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which ensures the continuous safety and compliance of aircraft. This particular legislative instrument, AD/CESSNA 207/13, was introduced to address specific safety concerns with the Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes, particularly those related to turbocharger thrust bearing pin and centre housing assembly issues. The directive aims to mitigate potential risks by mandating specific maintenance actions and inspections on affected aircraft to ensure their continued airworthiness. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by ensuring that the specified maintenance and inspection requirements are met, thus preventing any potential failures that could compromise flight safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, pertain to the maintenance and safety standards of aircraft operating within Australia, with a particular focus on the Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes. Specifically, the AD/CESSNA 207/13 Amendment 2 regulation applies to models TU207 equipped with certain turbochargers, namely those with P/N C295001-0101 or Airesearch P/N 406610-5 (new) or 406610-9004 (remanufactured), and serial numbers listed in the specified Cessna Service Letter. This regulation is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby affecting all aircraft registered and operated within its jurisdiction. The regulation mandates that any affected turbochargers that have not had Cessna Service Kit No SK210-75 incorporated must do so, carried out by an approved organisation following the guidelines set out in Cessna Service Letter SE77-3, Supplement No 3. Additionally, for those turbochargers that have already had the service kit incorporated, they must be inspected in accordance with Cessna Service Letter SE77-42. Compliance with these requirements is to be achieved within 100 hours of time in service following the date of 30 April 1978. This legislative instrument ensures that the specified aircraft maintain a high standard of airworthiness and safety, reflecting the regulatory oversight of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Part 39 - 105) specify the Airworthiness Directives (AD) for various aircraft models, including the Cessna 207 series aeroplanes. The particular AD/CESSNA 207/13 Amendment 2 addresses the turbocharger thrust bearing pin and centre housing assembly. This directive applies to Model TU207 aircraft fitted with specific turbochargers, namely the Cessna P/N C295001-0101 or Airesearch P/N 406610-5 (new) or 406610-9004 (remanufactured), which have serial number prefixes listed in Cessna Service Letter (SL) No SE77-3, Supplement No 2. The directive requires two main actions, outlined in Parts 1 and 2. Part 1 of the directive requires that turbochargers which have not yet incorporated Cessna Service Kit No SK210-75 must be modified by an approved organisation in accordance with Cessna SL No SE77-3, Supplement No 3. This means that the turbochargers need to be updated with the specified service kit to ensure compliance with safety standards. Part 2 mandates that if the turbochargers have already been modified with the service kit in the field, they must be inspected in accordance with Cessna SL No SE77-42. These actions must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after the directive was issued on 30 April 1978. The obligations imposed by this Airworthiness Directive are primarily on the operators of the affected Cessna 207 series aeroplanes. Operators must ensure that the specified modifications or inspections are carried out by an approved organisation to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. The directive ensures that the turbochargers are either updated with the necessary service kit or inspected to confirm their compliance with safety requirements. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which would have serious implications for flight operations and safety. Breach of the requirements outlined in the AD/CESSNA 207/13 Amendment 2 could lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide for both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Civil penalties can include fines up to a significant amount, and criminal penalties can result in imprisonment for individuals found guilty of contravening the regulations. The specific penalties depend on the nature and severity of the breach, but the regulations are clear that failure to comply with airworthiness directives can have severe legal and financial consequences for operators and individuals involved.