AD/CESSNA 207/26 Amdt 1 - Bladder Type Fuel Cells

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations within Australia. One aspect of these regulations, outlined in Part 39 - 105, addresses specific directives for the airworthiness of certain aircraft types, including the Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes. This legislative instrument, specifically AD/CESSNA 207/26 Amendment 1, was introduced to address issues related to bladder type fuel cells in Cessna 207 Series aircraft. The amendment mandates inspections and specific maintenance actions to ensure these fuel cells do not pose a risk to flight safety, aligning with the overarching policy objective of maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation. The regulations specify when inspections must be conducted, how to record results, and the necessary actions to take if cells exhibit unacceptable wrinkles or folds, ensuring compliance with the latest industry standards and safety directives.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Cessna 207 Series aeroplanes with serial numbers listed in Cessna SIL SE 84-4. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, given it is a Commonwealth regulation. The regulation mandates the inspection of bladder type fuel cells in accordance with Cessna SIL SE 84-4, with particular attention to the presence of wrinkles or folds in the cells. If such issues are detected, the fuel system must be purged of moisture or contaminants, and these procedures and findings must be recorded in the aircraft log book. For aircraft not modified in accordance with Cessna SIL SE 84-9, Rev 1, inspections must occur before further flight after 31 August 1984 for existing cells and at the installation of any new cell after this date. For aircraft that have undergone modifications as per Cessna SIL SE 84-9, Rev 1, inspections must occur when future cell replacement is required, and log book statements must be made before the issue of the next Maintenance Release after 30 June 1985. This directive excludes aircraft modified in line with the specified service instructions and updates, and it is enforced through the issuance of subsequent service instructions and log book requirements.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates that Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes comply with Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 207/26 Amendment 1. This directive applies to all models with serial numbers listed in Cessna SIL SE 84-4. The primary requirement (Section 6/85) is to inspect the bladder type fuel cells according to the instructions detailed in Cessna SIL SE 84-4, and to document the inspection results in the aircraft's logbook. If any fuel cells show wrinkles or folds, it is necessary to purge the fuel system to remove moisture or other contaminants. Further guidance on fuel system purging is provided in Cessna Owner Advisory SE 82-36A. Compliance with this directive varies depending on whether the aircraft has been modified in accordance with Cessna SIL SE 84-9, Revision 1. For aircraft not modified as per this revision, inspections must be conducted before any further flight after 31 August 1984, for cells already installed, and at the time of installing any new cell after this date. If any cells showed signs of unacceptable wrinkles or folds during the initial inspection, the system purging procedures must be repeated at each issue of a new Maintenance Release. For aircraft modified in line with Cessna SIL SE 84-9, Rev 1, further inspections and actions should be in accordance with the same revision. For aircraft that have already complied with the previous version of this directive, a logbook statement must be made before the issue of the next Maintenance Release after 30 June 1985. The Act imposes specific obligations on the owners and operators of the affected aircraft. They are required to ensure that the inspections and maintenance actions prescribed by the directive are performed as specified. This includes conducting the necessary inspections and documenting the results in the aircraft's logbook. For aircraft that have not been modified, additional inspections and system purging procedures are required if cells exhibit wrinkles or folds. For modified aircraft, inspections and maintenance actions should follow the guidelines in Cessna SIL SE 84-9, Rev 1. Non-compliance with these directives can have serious implications for the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft, and potentially for the operators and passengers. Failure to comply with the provisions of this directive can result in significant consequences. Firstly, non-compliance can compromise the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft, potentially leading to serious incidents or accidents. From a regulatory perspective, operators who do not adhere to the requirements may face enforcement actions from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The specific penalties for non-compliance can include fines, suspension of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, or other enforcement measures deemed appropriate by CASA. In extreme cases, criminal charges could be brought against individuals responsible for the non-compliance, potentially resulting in imprisonment. The precise penalties depend on the severity of the breach and the circumstances surrounding it.