AD/CESSNA 207/38 - Upper Shoulder Harness Adjuster Spring

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has enacted an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes, specifically models 207 and T207, to address a safety concern identified by the manufacturer regarding the inadvertent installation of a small wire spring in the shoulder harness adjusters. This directive, AD/CESSNA 207/38, was issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. The AD mandates that operators inspect the upper shoulder harness adjusters for the presence of this retainer spring and take appropriate action if found, to prevent slippage of the harness which could compromise safety during flight. The directive came into effect on 23 December 2004, with compliance required either within the next 25 hours of service or at the next annual inspection following the directive's publication date. This measure aims to ensure the airworthiness of the affected aircraft and mitigate potential safety risks.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 207/38 issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Cessna 207 and T207 series aeroplanes with serial numbers listed in Cessna Single Engine Service Bulletin SEB86-8 Revision 1, dated 28 July 2003. The directive pertains to the inspection and modification of the upper shoulder harness adjuster (part number 443030-401) to ensure the presence of a retainer spring does not compromise the safety and functionality of the shoulder harness. This requirement mandates that the inspection and any necessary corrective actions must be carried out within the next 25 hours of the aircraft's time in service or at the next annual inspection following 23 December 2004, whichever comes first. The directive is effective as of its publication date of 23 December 2004 and applies nationally across Australia, as it is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, a Commonwealth authority. The directive may be extended or modified through subordinate instruments, ensuring ongoing safety compliance for the specified aircraft models.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) applies specifically to Cessna 207 Series Aeroplanes, namely models 207 and T207 aircraft with serial numbers listed in Cessna Single Engine Service Bulletin (SB) SEB86-8 Revision 1, dated 28 July 2003. The directive mandates inspections and corrective actions to address an identified unsafe condition concerning the upper shoulder harness adjuster (section 1). The directive sets out specific actions that must be undertaken by the aircraft owner or operator to ensure compliance with the requirements outlined. These actions include inspecting the upper shoulder harness adjuster for the presence of a retainer spring and either removing it or making an entry in the aircraft logbook if no spring is found (section 1(a)). Additionally, the directive requires that only certain Cessna Accessory Kits be incorporated, specifically those that have been identified, inspected, and modified in accordance with the requirement document (section 1(b)). The compliance deadline is set at either within the next 25 hours of time in service or at the next annual inspection following 23 December 2004, whichever occurs first (section 2(1)). The AD imposes several obligations on the aircraft owners and operators. Firstly, they must conduct a thorough inspection of the specified upper shoulder harness adjuster for the presence of a retainer spring, as detailed in SB SEB86-8 Revision 1 (section 1(a)). If a retainer spring is found, it must be removed by cutting each side and the -401 identification number must be stamped out before further flight (section 1(a)). Conversely, if no retainer spring is detected, an entry must be made in the aircraft logbook to demonstrate compliance with the AD (section 1(a)). Furthermore, the directive mandates the incorporation of only those Cessna Accessory Kits that have been identified, inspected, and modified in accordance with the requirement document (section 1(b)). Compliance with SB SEB86-8 original issue, dated 21 November 1986, is recognised as terminating action for the requirements of this Directive, provided the shoulder harness adjuster part number 443030-401 was used (section 2(2)). Failure to comply with the provisions of this AD may result in the aircraft being considered unairworthy, which could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The AD specifies the timeframe for compliance, with a deadline set at either within the next 25 hours of time in service or at the next annual inspection following 23 December 2004, whichever comes first (section 2(1)). The AD is intended to ensure that the specified unsafe condition is corrected, thus enhancing the safety of the aircraft. Any non-compliance with the AD could result in penalties or enforcement actions as deemed appropriate by CASA. The exact nature and severity of these penalties are not explicitly stated within the AD but would be subject to the broader regulatory framework governing civil aviation safety in Australia.