AD/CESSNA 210/25 - Main Gear Wheel Assemblies - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia's Parliament, were introduced to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for civil aviation safety, including the issuance of Airworthiness Directives to address specific safety concerns. The Act aims to ensure that aircraft and aviation products meet the necessary safety standards to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the national airspace. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 210/25, pertains to Cessna 210 series aeroplanes and specifically addresses modifications to the main gear wheel assemblies. This directive applies to all models of the Cessna 210 equipped with McCauley D-30063 wheel assemblies, requiring compliance with the Cessna SL SE74-8 dated 17 May 1974 or later revisions. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the affected aircraft by mandating timely modifications to the main gear wheel assemblies. The Cessna 210 series Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 210/25 highlights the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's commitment to addressing specific safety issues through detailed regulatory requirements. This directive, effective from 1974 models, mandates that compliance must be achieved within 25 hours of time in service following 31 July 1974. By referencing the Cessna SL SE74-8 document and its subsequent revisions, the directive ensures that the necessary modifications are performed to maintain the structural integrity and safety performance of the main gear wheel assemblies. The overarching goal of this directive is to mitigate potential safety risks associated with the identified component, thereby contributing to the overall safety of civil aviation operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the application of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes directives for specific aircraft models such as the Cessna 210 Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to all Cessna 210 models fitted with McCauley D-30063 wheel assemblies, as referenced in the document Cessna SL SE74-8 dated 17 May 1974 or later revisions. Compliance with these directives is essential for maintaining airworthiness, with a specific requirement for 1974 models to adhere to the directive within 25 hours of time in service after 31 July 1974. The scope of this regulation ensures that the specified aircraft meet the required safety standards, thereby safeguarding the integrity and safety of aviation operations within the Australian jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, address modifications required for Cessna 210 Series Aeroplanes, particularly in relation to main gear wheel assemblies (AD/CESSNA 210/25). These regulations are crucial for ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft, mandating specific modifications to the wheel assemblies. All models 210 fitted with McCauley D-30063 wheel assemblies are subject to these directives, with compliance needing to be demonstrated through documentation such as the Cessna SL SE74-8 dated 17 May 1974 or any subsequent revisions. For the 1974 models, compliance must be achieved within 25 hours of time in service after 31 July 1974. The primary obligation imposed by these regulations is the requirement for aircraft owners and operators to ensure that any affected Cessna 210 models comply with the specified modifications to the main gear wheel assemblies. This involves adhering to the technical standards set out in the relevant documentation, ensuring that any modifications are correctly implemented and verified. Compliance must be maintained not only at the time of manufacture or initial service but also throughout the operational life of the aircraft, necessitating regular inspections and maintenance checks to ensure continued conformity with the directives. Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose both civil and potentially criminal penalties for non-compliance. Civil penalties may include fines and the potential grounding of the aircraft, while criminal penalties can include imprisonment for individuals or fines for corporations found in breach of the regulations. The maximum penalties are set out within the broader framework of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which may include fines up to $162,000 for individuals and $810,000 for corporations, alongside imprisonment terms of up to five years for individuals found guilty of serious offences. These stringent measures underscore the importance of adhering to the directives to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.