AD/CESSNA 210/38 Amdt 1 - Vented Fuel Caps - Installation

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, is designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. The specific legislative instrument, F2006B08086, pertains to the Cessna 210 Series Aeroplanes and addresses the problem of fuel tank vent obstructions or sticking vent valves, which could lead to hazardous situations. This directive is part of the broader effort to maintain airworthiness and safety as outlined in the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s schedule of airworthiness directives. The policy objective is to mandate the installation of vented fuel caps to prevent fuel tank explosions or fires resulting from improper venting. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1979, or before 1 January 1980, whichever is later, to ensure all specified Cessna 210 and T210 models are equipped with the necessary safety measures.

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 certain models of Cessna 210 series aeroplanes. The directive AD/CESSNA 210/38 Amendment 1 mandates the installation of vented fuel caps on Models 210 and T210 with specific serial numbers, namely 616, 618, 57001 to 57575, 21057576 to 21059361, and T210-0001 to T210-0454. This requirement is to ensure secondary venting, mitigating risks associated with obstructed primary vents or sticking fuel tank vent valves. The installation must comply with either Cessna Service Letter No. SE77-6 or FAA AD 79-10-14, Amendment 39-3475, and it explicitly prohibits the use of placards as a substitute for vented fuel caps. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service following 31 August 1979, or before 1 January 1980, whichever date is later. The regulation is nationally applicable across Australia, overseen by CASA, and extends its reach to any operators or entities utilising the specified aircraft models.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (C1998) under Part 39 - 105, as amended, mandate specific airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models. In this instance, AD/CESSNA 210/38 Amendment 1 focuses on the installation of vented fuel caps for Cessna 210 series aeroplanes. Section 1 of this directive applies to models 210 and T210 with specified serial numbers. The requirement is clear: vented fuel caps must be installed in compliance with either Cessna Service Letter No. SE77-6 or FAA AD 79-10-14, Amendment 39-3475. It is crucial to note that the installation of a placard as an alternative to vented fuel caps is expressly prohibited. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service following 31 August 1979, or before 1 January 1980, whichever date is later. The obligations imposed by this directive are specific to the aircraft models and serial numbers outlined. Owners and operators of affected Cessna 210 and T210 aeroplanes must ensure that the vented fuel caps are installed according to the specified service letters or amendments. This requirement is designed to prevent issues such as obstructed primary vents or sticking fuel tank vent valves, thereby enhancing the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to adhere to these specifications could compromise the safety of the flight operations and lead to non-compliance with civil aviation standards. Violations of the requirements set out in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 may result in significant consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the excerpt, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally attracts enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions may include fines, orders to rectify the non-compliance, or even suspension or revocation of the aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness. Such penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the specified directives to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation.