AD/CESSNA 207/28 - Fuel Selector Valve Safety Wire

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, address the safety and operational standards for aircraft within Australia. This comprehensive regulatory framework ensures that aircraft operations are conducted safely and efficiently. A specific focus of the Regulations is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives, such as AD/CESSNA 207/28, which aims to rectify safety issues and ensure compliance with safety standards. This particular directive pertains to the Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes, mandating specific actions to prevent loss of fuel selector control and subsequent engine fuel starvation, a critical safety concern. By adhering to the directive, operators are required to implement corrective measures as per the guidelines provided by Cessna SIL SE84-5, ensuring the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft. The policy objective of these regulations is to maintain the highest safety standards for civil aviation, protecting both the public and aviation personnel.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, apply to all Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 20700001 to 20700773. This regulation mandates compliance with the safety directive AD/CESSNA 207/28 concerning the fuel selector valve safety wire, ensuring that the aircraft maintain airworthiness standards. This requirement aligns with Cessna SIL SE84-5 and references FAA AD 85-02-07, necessitating that the specified action be completed before the next maintenance release following 31 May 1985. The directive aims to prevent the potential loss of fuel selector control, which could lead to engine fuel starvation, by securing the roll pin with safety wire. This regulatory measure underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of the fuel system in these aircraft models to ensure safe flight operations.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, govern the safety directives for aircraft, including the Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 207/28, pertains to the fuel selector valve safety wire (Section 105). This directive applies to Cessna 207 models with serial numbers ranging from 20700001 to 20700773 (Section 5). The requirement is for the action to be taken in accordance with Cessna SIL SE84-5, which involves securing the roll pin connecting the fuel selector rotor shaft to the yoke assembly with safety wire (Section 5/84-5). This action is critical to prevent the loss of fuel selector control, which could lead to engine fuel starvation. The obligations imposed by this directive are straightforward but essential for maintaining the safety of the aircraft. Operators of the affected Cessna 207 models must ensure that the safety wire is correctly installed on the roll pin as per the specified Cessna SIL SE84-5 instructions (Section 5/84-5). This involves a visual inspection and confirmation that the safety wire is intact and properly fastened, thereby preventing any migration of the roll pin out of its designated location. Compliance with this directive must be achieved before the issue of the next Maintenance Release following 31 May 1985 (Section 5). Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/CESSNA 207/28 could lead to serious safety consequences, including potential engine failure due to fuel starvation. Although the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly detail the penalties for non-compliance in this particular directive, non-compliance with safety directives generally can result in significant civil or criminal penalties. These may include fines, enforcement actions, and potentially grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. The severity of these consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the safety requirements stipulated in the directive.