AD/CESSNA 210/20 Amdt 3 - Aft Tailcone Assembly

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, constitute a comprehensive framework governing civil aviation safety. Among these regulations, Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives addresses specific safety mandates for various aircraft, including the Cessna 210 Series Aeroplanes. The AD/CESSNA 210/20 Amendment 3 pertains to the Aft Tailcone Assembly for aircraft within the serial number range of 21057841 to 21059739. This legislative instrument was introduced to address production-related discrepancies in later serial numbers of the aircraft, ensuring compliance with updated safety standards. The policy objective is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation operations by enforcing rigorous airworthiness directives that align with manufacturer specifications and industry best practices.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, concerns the airworthiness directives that are issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and apply to various aircraft models, including the Cessna 210 Series Aeroplanes. For this particular legislation, the AD/CESSNA 210/20 Amendment 3 pertains to the aft tailcone assembly of Cessna 210 Series aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 21057841 to 21059739. The directive requires compliance with Cessna Service Letter SE72-29, with inspections and actions to be conducted as detailed in the Requirement Document. Importantly, inspections that were performed in accordance with the previous version of this directive, specifically Cessna Service Letter SE72-3, may be considered as meeting the requirements of the current directive. This legislation applies to the specified serial numbers of the Cessna 210 Series aircraft and is regulated at the Commonwealth level. There are no exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds mentioned in the text, and it is applicable across Australia as it is a Commonwealth regulation.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105 and the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, address the requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of various aircraft, including the Cessna 210 Series aeroplanes. Section AD/CESSNA 210/20 Amendment 3 pertains to the aft tailcone assembly of these aircraft, with applicability extending to all model 210 Series with serial numbers ranging from 21057841 to 21059739. The directive mandates that action must be taken in accordance with Cessna Service Letter SE72-29. Compliance with this directive is detailed in the Requirement Document, which outlines the specific steps and standards that must be adhered to. Under these regulations, operators of the affected Cessna 210 Series aeroplanes are required to ensure that their aircraft meet the airworthiness standards set forth in the directive. This includes conducting inspections and necessary repairs or modifications to the aft tailcone assembly as specified by Cessna Service Letter SE72-29. The operators must also maintain records of compliance and ensure that all maintenance actions are performed by appropriately certified personnel. The inspections conducted under the previous version of this directive, identified as Cessna SL SE72-3, can be considered as meeting the requirements of the current directive, providing continuity and ease of compliance for operators. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives can lead to severe consequences, both civil and criminal. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, non-compliance may result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Civil penalties can include fines and the potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. In more serious cases, CASA has the authority to pursue criminal charges against individuals or corporations responsible for the non-compliance. The specific penalties for breaches of these regulations are not detailed in the provided text, but generally, they can include significant fines and imprisonment for directors or responsible officers, reflecting the critical importance of maintaining airworthiness standards in civil aviation.