AD/CESSNA 207/21 Amdt 1 - Alternator Ground Strap

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, are designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. Among the various parts and amendments, Part 39 - 105 specifically addresses the safety directives related to airworthiness, including the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to mitigate safety risks. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 207/21 Amendment 1, pertains to the Cessna 207 series aeroplanes and focuses on the alternator ground strap, responding to industry reports of omissions during engine reinstallation. The directive mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1982, and additionally requires action each time an engine is installed following initial compliance, reflecting the policy objective of enhancing aviation safety through proactive maintenance directives.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, pertains to the maintenance and airworthiness directives for certain aircraft, including the Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes, as outlined in the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives. This legislation applies to all Cessna 207 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 20700001 to 20700451. The regulation mandates compliance with the airworthiness directive concerning the alternator ground strap, as per Cessna Service Information Letter SE79-59, with a cross-reference to FAA AD 79-25-07. The requirement necessitates action within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1982 and mandates that the directive be followed each time an engine is installed in an aircraft following initial compliance. This additional stipulation was incorporated to address industry reports indicating that ground straps were often omitted during engine refitment, thereby ensuring continued adherence to safety standards. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of these regulations is national, extending across all states and territories of Australia, as they are administered by the Commonwealth through CASA. This ensures a consistent application of safety standards and compliance requirements nationwide. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or specific thresholds mentioned within this directive. However, the applicability and enforcement of these regulations can be extended or further detailed through subordinate instruments issued by CASA, which may provide additional clarification or specific implementation guidelines to ensure compliance by all relevant parties.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, outlines the requirements for the airworthiness directives under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule, focusing on the Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes (section 39-105). One such directive, AD/CESSNA 207/21 Amendment 1, pertains to the alternator ground strap and applies to all model 207 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 20700001 to 20700451 (section 39-105(1)). This directive mandates that the action be taken in accordance with Cessna SIL SE79-59, with a reference to FAA AD 79-25-07 (section 39-105(2)). This directive imposes specific obligations on the parties or entities it governs, requiring compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1982, and each time an engine is installed in an aircraft following initial compliance (section 39-105(3)). The directive was updated to include a new requirement for compliance when an engine is reinstalled, following industry reports that ground straps are sometimes omitted during such procedures (section 39-105(3)). This additional requirement ensures that the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft are maintained during engine reinstallation. Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in various consequences. Although the specific civil or criminal penalties are not detailed in the text, it is reasonable to infer that non-compliance with such safety regulations could lead to penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Typically, penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives can include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the breach and the potential risk posed to aviation safety (section 9.1). The maximum penalties can be significant, reflecting the importance of adhering to these safety standards to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the aviation system.