AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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 207/35 Horizontal Stabiliser Attachment
Brackets
7/2002
Applicability: Model Serial Numbers
207 and T207 20700001 through 20700362
207A and T207A 20700363 through 20700788
Requirement: 1. Check the maintenance records, and determine whether a horizontal stabiliser attachment reinforcement bracket (bracket) part number (P/N) 1232624-1 is installed that was shipped by Cessna from 27 February 1998 through 17 March 2000. If the installed brackets were not shipped by Cessna between 27 February 1998 and 17 March 2000, no further action is required by this Directive.
2. If the above check reveals that affected P/N 1232624-1 brackets are installed, visually inspect the left and right brackets for existence of seam welds along both the lower inboard and outboard wall/flange.
3. If no seam weld is found on the left or right bracket during the Requirement 2 inspection, before further flight, replace with a new or serviceable P/N 1232624- 1 bracket. If the left and right brackets have seam welds along both the lower inboard and outboard wall/flange, no further action is required.
Note: FAA AD 2002-07-01 Amdt 39-12695 refers.
Compliance: Within 50 hours time in service after 11 July 2002, unless already accomplished.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 11 July 2002.
Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 207/35 (Continued)
Background: The FAA received a report that certain horizontal stabiliser attachment reinforcement brackets were manufactured without seam welds. This Directive specifies actions to detect and replace structurally deficient attachment brackets. Continued use of such brackets could result in structural failure of the horizontal stabiliser.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 28 May 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 19 June 2002.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, specifically pursuant to the authority granted by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, aims to address safety concerns related to the horizontal stabiliser attachment brackets on Cessna 207 Series aeroplanes. This AD, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on 28 May 2002 and notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 19 June 2002, seeks to rectify the unsafe condition identified with certain brackets manufactured without seam welds, which could potentially lead to structural failure of the horizontal stabiliser. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft by mandating specific actions within a prescribed timeframe to maintain safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to the Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes, identified by the serial numbers ranging from 20700001 through 20700788 for the 207 and T207 models, and from 20700363 through 20700788 for the 207A and T207A models. This directive mandates certain actions to address an identified unsafe condition concerning the horizontal stabiliser attachment reinforcement brackets. The AD requires the inspection of the installed brackets to determine if they were shipped by Cessna between 27 February 1998 and 17 March 2000. If the brackets in question were not shipped during this period, no further action is necessary. However, if the brackets were shipped during this timeframe, they must be inspected for the presence of seam welds along the lower inboard and outboard wall/flange. If any seam welds are missing, the brackets must be replaced before further flight. This directive is effective from 11 July 2002, and compliance must be achieved within 50 hours of time in service after this date, unless the required actions have already been completed.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Airworthiness Directive (AD/CESSNA 207/35) include the applicability, requirement, and compliance sections. In the applicability section (paragraph 1), the AD applies to Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes with specific serial numbers, namely 20700001 through 20700362 and 20700363 through 20700788. The requirement section (paragraph 2) mandates that the aircraft's maintenance records must be checked to determine whether certain horizontal stabiliser attachment reinforcement brackets (P/N 1232624-1) were shipped by Cessna between 27 February 1998 and 17 March 2000. If these brackets are installed and lack the necessary seam welds, they must be replaced before further flight. The compliance section (paragraph 3) stipulates that these actions must be taken within 50 hours of time in service after 11 July 2002, unless already accomplished.
The AD imposes specific obligations and requirements on the parties it governs. Firstly, it requires the owners and operators of the affected Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes to inspect the horizontal stabiliser attachment reinforcement brackets to ensure they meet the specified criteria. This includes checking the installation records and visually inspecting the brackets for the presence of seam welds along the lower inboard and outboard wall/flange. If the inspection reveals that the brackets do not have the required seam welds, they must be replaced with new or serviceable P/N 1232624-1 brackets before any further flight. Additionally, these actions must be completed within 50 hours of time in service after the AD's effective date of 11 July 2002.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive may result in serious safety implications. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued this AD to address an unsafe condition that could lead to structural failure of the horizontal stabiliser. If an operator fails to adhere to the AD's stipulations, they may face regulatory scrutiny, enforcement actions, or potential grounding of the aircraft. Although the AD does not explicitly state specific penalties or consequences for non-compliance, the overarching legal framework under which CASA operates includes potential civil and criminal penalties for violations of aviation safety regulations. The exact penalties would depend on the severity of the non-compliance and the discretion of the relevant authorities.