AD/CESSNA 208/10 Amdt 2 - Flap Bellcrank Bolt

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, address the need for comprehensive regulation of civil aviation safety across the country. Part 39 - 105 within this legislation, specifically the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, focuses on ensuring the ongoing airworthiness of aircraft, with a particular emphasis on safety. The Cessna 208 Series Aeroplanes AD/CESSNA 208/10 Amendment 2, targeting the flap bellcrank bolt, exemplifies the regulatory approach to addressing identified safety concerns through timely compliance actions. This amendment responds to issues raised by the manufacturer regarding the potential failure of the flap bellcrank bolt, which could lead to asymmetric flap conditions. The policy objective is to ensure the safety of aircraft operations by mandating specific actions based on the service history and modifications of the affected aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate that the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives applies to all Cessna 208 series aeroplanes with specific serial numbers. The directive pertains to models 208 and 208A with serial numbers ranging from 20800001 to 20800243 and model 208B with serial numbers from 208B0001 to 208B0465. The directive necessitates compliance with Cessna Service Bulletin CAB95-11 Rev 1, which addresses the flap bellcrank bolt. For aircraft that have achieved 500 landings, compliance must occur within 100 hours of time in service after 12 October 1995 or before 12 October 1996, whichever comes first. Aircraft that have not reached 500 landings must comply within 100 hours of time in service after 12 October 1995 or before achieving 501 landings, whichever is later. Additionally, aircraft modified by the installation of SK208-123-1 or SK208-123A1 must comply within 200 hours of time in service after 7 December 1995. This directive was initially issued on 13 October 1994, with Amendment 1 taking effect on 12 October 1995 and Amendment 2 on an unspecified date. The directive was enacted due to reports of the subject bolt failure, which could result in asymmetric flap. Amendment 1 resulted from the cancellation of earlier service bulletins, while Amendment 2 incorporated aircraft previously modified by the specified kits.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, include the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which address the airworthiness of various aircraft models. Within this Schedule, AD/CESSNA 208/10 Amendment 2 pertains to the Cessna 208 Series Aeroplanes and mandates action concerning the flap bellcrank bolt. This directive applies to specific serial numbers of Cessna 208 and 208A models, as well as 208B models, listed in the applicability section (1). The requirement is to adhere to Cessna Service Bulletin CAB95-11 Revision 1 (Requirement: 1). Compliance with this directive is contingent on the number of landings the affected bolt has experienced and the time in service post-12 October 1995. For aircraft with the bellcrank bolt that has reached 500 landings, compliance is necessary within 100 hours of service after 12 October 1995 or before 12 October 1996, whichever is sooner (Compliance: 1). Aircraft with fewer than 500 landings must comply before reaching 501 landings or within 100 hours of service after 12 October 1995, whichever is later (Compliance: 2). Additionally, for aircraft modified by the installation of SK208-123-1 or SK208-123A1, compliance is required within the next 200 hours of service after 7 December 1995 (Compliance: 3). Entities governed by these regulations must ensure they meet the specified compliance timelines and actions outlined in the directive. This involves checking the number of landings the flap bellcrank bolt has undergone and the elapsed time since the relevant dates mentioned. If the aircraft falls under the conditions of Compliance 1, 2, or 3, the specified actions must be taken without delay. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to serious safety issues, as the directive was issued in response to reports of bolt failure that could result in asymmetric flap, a condition potentially compromising the aircraft's safety. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance with AD/CESSNA 208/10 Amendment 2. However, general provisions within the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations may apply. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in severe consequences, including potential enforcement actions by CASA, which may include fines, suspension, or revocation of airworthiness certificates. Such actions can lead to significant operational disruptions and financial penalties for the entities involved. Additionally, failure to adhere to these directives could result in civil liability for any accidents or incidents arising from non-compliance, as well as potential criminal charges if the non-compliance is deemed to have been negligent or willful. The precise penalties would depend on the specific circumstances and the interpretation by regulatory authorities and the courts.