AD/CESSNA 210/16 - Exhaust Manifold Heat Exchanger - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australian airspace. One specific piece of legislation within this framework is the AD/CESSNA 210/16 concerning the exhaust manifold heat exchanger inspection of Cessna 210 Series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address potential safety issues related to the exhaust manifold heat exchanger in turbocharged models of the Cessna 210 Series. The policy objective behind this regulation is to maintain airworthiness standards by mandating regular inspections, specifically within 50 hours of time in service after 9 June 1971 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 50 hours time in service, as outlined in the Cessna SL No. SE71-11. Compliance with this directive is critical to ensuring the operational safety of these aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains to the inspection of the exhaust manifold heat exchanger for all turbocharged models of Cessna 210 Series Aeroplanes. This legislation applies directly to aircraft operators and owners of the affected aircraft models, mandating compliance with the stipulated inspection intervals to ensure airworthiness and safety. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this directive is nationwide, applying uniformly across the Commonwealth of Australia. The inspection must occur within 50 hours of time in service after 9 June 1971 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service, as outlined in Cessna Service Letter No. SE71-11. This legislation does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, and its application is not extended or restricted by any subordinate instruments in the provided text.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/CESSNA 210/16, sets out requirements for the inspection of exhaust manifold heat exchangers on turbocharged Cessna 210 series aeroplanes. This directive applies to all turbocharged models, as outlined in Cessna Service Letter No. SE71-11 (section 105). The directive mandates that inspections must be conducted within 50 hours of time in service following 9 June 1971, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service (section 105). Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that the inspections are performed by qualified personnel in accordance with the specifications provided by the manufacturer, Cessna. This includes checking the condition of the exhaust manifold heat exchanger to ensure it is free from defects, such as cracks or corrosion, that could compromise the aircraft's safety. The compliance timeline begins 50 hours after the date specified in the directive, which is 9 June 1971, and continues at intervals of no more than 50 hours thereafter (section 105). Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to severe consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding of the aircraft. This can result in significant operational disruptions and financial loss for the operator. Additionally, CASA may impose administrative penalties, including fines, and in more severe cases, criminal charges may be pursued against responsible individuals or entities, with potential penalties including imprisonment (section 105). The specific penalties depend on the severity of the breach and are determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.