AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 207/32 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 207/32
Amdt 2
Forward Door Post Bulkhead 3/2002
Applicability: All models that do not have Cessna Service Kit SK207-19 as per Cessna SEB 93-5 Revision 1.
Requirement: 1. Visually inspect for cracks at the inside edge of the left hand and right hand bend relief notches of the forward door post bulkhead.
2. Visually inspect for loose or working fasteners securing the lower strut end pick- up fitting to the forward door post bulkhead. The inspection areas and typical crack location are shown in the diagram below.
Note 1: Inspection in accordance with Requirement 1 will initially require removal of certain floor panels. Incorporation of inspection holes in accordance with an approved modification will allow inspection of the relief notch without requiring removal of the floor panels.
Note 2: Inspection in accordance with Requirement 2 may be accomplished from outside the aircraft via the hole exposed by removing the lower wing strut fairing.
Note 3: Cessna Single Engine Service Bulletin SEB93-5 refers.
Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 207/32 Amdt 2 (continued)
Compliance: Inspect before exceeding 2000 hours aircraft time in service, before 100 hours time in service after 20 July 1995 or before 500 hours time in service since last inspected in accordance with this Directive, whichever occurs last. Thereafter inspect at intervals not to exceed 500 hours time in service.
Note: Repaired or modified structure must continue to be inspected unless a variation to the requirements of this AD has been approved .
This amendment becomes effective on 21 March 2002.
Background: Numerous reports have been received of cracking in this area on Cessna models 206 and 182. The structure on the model 207 is similar. The bend relief notch in the bulkhead serves as a stress concentration notch, causing fatigue cracks to propagate across the bulkhead web. The strut attachment area forms part of the wing’s primary load path, and loss of strength in this area could be catastrophic.
Although most of this area is covered by the strut attach fitting and a bulkhead reinforcement doubler, the inside edge of the bulkhead, where the cracks have been initiating, is visible without removing the lower strut attachment fitting.
Amendment 2 of this Airworthiness Directive is issued to allow the installation of the appropriate Cessna Service Kit as terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirement.
Amendment 1 reduces the initial threshold time for inspection as several model 206 and 182 aircraft have been found cracked at less than 4000 hours. This amendment became effective on the 2 June 2000.
Amendment 1of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 20 July 1995.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 27 April 1995.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 4 February 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 27 February 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Amendment 2 to the Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 207/32 on 21 March 2002. This directive addresses the safety issue of cracking in the forward door post bulkhead of the Cessna 207 series aeroplanes, which was identified as a significant risk due to stress concentration notches and the critical load path the area serves. The AD was enacted to ensure the safety of these aircraft by requiring regular inspections and, where necessary, repairs to prevent structural failure. CASA issued this amendment to allow the installation of the appropriate Cessna Service Kit as terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirement, thereby reducing the frequency of inspections once the service kit is installed. This directive was issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which empowers CASA to issue ADs to address unsafe conditions in aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 207/32 Amdt 2 applies to all Cessna 207 series aeroplanes that have not incorporated the specific service kit SK207-19 as per the relevant service bulletin. This requirement mandates the inspection of the forward door post bulkhead for cracks at the inside edge of the bend relief notches and for any loose or working fasteners securing the lower strut end pick-up fitting. The inspections must be carried out before exceeding certain aircraft time thresholds, specifically 2000 hours of service, before 100 hours of service after 20 July 1995, or before 500 hours of service since the last inspection under this directive, whichever occurs last. Following these initial inspections, subsequent inspections are to be conducted at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of service. The directive does not specify exclusions but allows for approved modifications that might streamline the inspection process. The AD is issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and becomes effective as published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 207/32 Amdt 2 outlines specific requirements and compliance intervals for the inspection of Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to all models that do not have Cessna Service Kit SK207-19 as per Cessna SEB 93-5 Revision 1. The directive mandates a visual inspection for cracks at the inside edge of the left and right hand bend relief notches of the forward door post bulkhead (section 1). Additionally, it requires a visual inspection for loose or working fasteners securing the lower strut end pick-up fitting to the forward door post bulkhead (section 2). Inspections must be conducted under specific circumstances and according to outlined instructions, with certain notes providing additional guidance on how and where these inspections should be performed.
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Operators and owners of the specified Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes must ensure that the inspections are conducted before exceeding 2000 hours of aircraft time in service, before 100 hours of time in service after 20 July 1995, or before 500 hours of time in service since the last inspection in accordance with this Directive, whichever occurs last. Subsequent inspections must be performed at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service. Furthermore, any repaired or modified structure must continue to be inspected unless a variation to the requirements of this AD has been approved. The AD becomes effective on 21 March 2002, replacing the previous AD/CESSNA 207/32 Amdt 1.
Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in the AD may result in significant consequences. Although specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with ADs typically involves potential risks to the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. In the case of CASA-issued directives, non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions, including fines, suspension, or revocation of airworthiness certificates, which could result in the grounding of the affected aircraft. The severity of penalties can vary, but they are designed to ensure adherence to safety standards to mitigate risks associated with structural integrity and flight safety.