AD/CESSNA 208/4 - Wing Fuel Tanks External Sump

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to provide comprehensive rules and standards governing civil aviation in Australia. One part of these regulations, Part 39 - 105, deals with the Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, which are legal requirements intended to ensure the continued safety of aircraft. Specifically, AD/CESSNA 208/4 pertains to the installation of external sumps in the wing fuel tanks of certain Cessna 208 series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns related to the accumulation of contaminants in the fuel tanks, which can pose significant risks during flight. The directive applies to specific models and serial numbers of Cessna 208 and 208A, as well as the 208B model, requiring compliance with Cessna Service Bulletin No. CAB 88-23 before 31 May 1989. The policy objective is to enhance the safety and reliability of these aircraft by ensuring that contaminants are effectively collected and drained from the fuel tanks.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the requirements for ensuring the airworthiness of certain aircraft models. This legislative instrument applies to Cessna 208 Series aeroplanes, including Models 208 and 208A with serial numbers between 20800001 and 20800130, as well as Model 208B with serial numbers between 208B0001 and 208B0089. The directive mandates the installation of external sumps to the fuel tanks to facilitate the collection and drainage of contaminants, as specified in Cessna Service Bulletin No. CAB 88-23. Compliance with this directive is required by 31 May 1989, ensuring that the affected aircraft meet safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this regulation is national, applying uniformly across Australia under the authority of the Commonwealth. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in the directive, and the application is not extended or restricted through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation, specifically AD/CESSNA 208/4, require the installation of external sumps on the fuel tanks of certain Cessna 208 series aeroplanes to collect contaminants. This applies to models 208 and 208A with serial numbers ranging from 20800001 through 20800130, and model 208B with serial numbers from 208B0001 through 208B0089. The action must be in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin No. CAB 88-23 and compliance must be achieved prior to 31 May 1989. This directive is aimed at enhancing the safety of the aircraft by ensuring that contaminants are adequately collected and drained from the fuel tanks. The obligations and requirements imposed by the Act are clear and specific. Owners or operators of the affected aircraft models must ensure that the installation of external sumps on the fuel tanks is completed as per Cessna Service Bulletin No. CAB 88-23. This involves precise technical work, likely requiring the involvement of certified technicians or engineers familiar with Cessna aircraft. The directive must be fully implemented before the specified compliance date of 31 May 1989, ensuring that all affected aircraft are modified in a timely manner. The goal is to prevent potential issues arising from contaminants in the fuel tanks, thereby maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the Airworthiness Directive could lead to serious consequences. While the specific civil or criminal penalties are not detailed within the legislative text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can generally result in severe repercussions. These might include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to accidents or safety incidents. The seriousness of these consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the directive to ensure the safety and legality of operating the affected aircraft.