AD/CESSNA 210/22 - Intercostal Bulkhead - Reinforcement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serve to regulate and ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. Part 39 - 105 of these regulations, specifically the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, provides detailed instructions and mandates for maintaining the airworthiness of various aircraft, including the Cessna 210 Series Aeroplanes. This legislation aims to address potential safety issues and ensure compliance with safety standards for specific aircraft models. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 210/22, concerns the reinforcement of the intercostal bulkhead in Cessna 210 Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to all models with serial numbers within the specified range and mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1972. The policy objective of these directives is to maintain the highest safety standards for aircraft operations, ensuring that all aircraft meet the necessary airworthiness criteria as set out by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, applies to all models of Cessna 210 Series Aeroplanes with specific serial numbers, namely those with serial numbers ranging from 21058819 to 21059030 and from T210-0198 to T210-0378. This regulation is integral to ensuring the airworthiness of these aircraft and applies within the jurisdictional reach of the Commonwealth of Australia. Compliance with these directives is mandatory for the specified aircraft models within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1972. This involves reinforcing the intercostal bulkhead, as detailed in the document Cessna SL SE72-22. While the primary focus is on these specific aircraft models, the broader application of these regulations is to maintain safety standards across the aviation industry within Australia. The legislation does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, implying a broad applicability across the specified fleet. Additionally, while the primary act provides the foundational requirements, subordinate instruments may extend or provide further clarification on the application and compliance processes.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105 (subsections 105.001 to 105.012), lay out the requirements for airworthiness directives in Australian aviation, including detailed provisions for the Cessna 210 Series Aeroplanes. One such directive is AD/CESSNA 210/22, which mandates reinforcement of the intercostal bulkheads for certain models. This directive applies to all models of the Cessna 210 Series with serial numbers ranging from 21058819 to 21059030 and from T210-0198 to T210-0378 (subsection 105.005). Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with the work needing to be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1972 (subsection 105.008). The directive references the document Cessna SL SE72-22, which provides the technical details and instructions for carrying out the required reinforcement. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, operators of the affected Cessna 210 models have a legal obligation to ensure compliance with AD/CESSNA 210/22. This involves inspecting the intercostal bulkheads, making any necessary repairs or reinforcements, and documenting the completion of the work. These requirements are intended to maintain the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft, ensuring that they continue to meet airworthiness standards (subsection 105.007). Failure to comply with these directives can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to grounding and prevent the operator from using the aircraft for commercial or private flights. Breaches of the Civil Aviation Regulations, including non-compliance with airworthiness directives such as AD/CESSNA 210/22, can result in severe consequences. Civil penalties can include fines, with the maximum penalty varying based on the severity and frequency of the breach (subsection 105.011). In more serious cases, criminal penalties may apply, potentially leading to imprisonment. Additionally, the operator may face legal action from affected parties, such as passengers or insurers, for any damages resulting from the non-compliance. The seriousness of these consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the stipulated airworthiness directives to ensure the safety and legality of aviation operations.