AD/CESSNA 210/4 Amdt 2 - Plastic Control Wheel - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, address the safety and airworthiness standards for various aircraft types, including the Cessna 210 Series Aeroplanes. The regulations were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation by setting out mandatory standards that aircraft must meet. This particular legislative instrument, F2006B08088, was introduced to address the need for regular inspection and maintenance of plastic control wheels on Cessna 210 Series aeroplanes. The policy objective of this legislation is to maintain the airworthiness and safety of these aircraft by preventing potential failures or degradation of the plastic control wheels that could lead to hazardous conditions during flight. Enacted by the Parliament of Australia, these regulations are overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which ensures compliance with the set safety standards and mandates timely inspections to mitigate risks associated with plastic control wheel integrity.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, include specific Airworthiness Directives that apply to certain types of aircraft. In this instance, AD/CESSNA 210/4 Amendment 2 pertains to Cessna 210 Series aeroplanes with plastic control wheels, specifically those identified by Serial Numbers 62-44 and 64-8. These directives mandate regular inspections of the plastic control wheels to ensure airworthiness. For aircraft identified by Serial Number 62-44, inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service, while for those identified by Serial Number 64-8, inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service, both effective from 1 September 1971. These regulations aim to maintain the safety standards of the aircraft, ensuring compliance with the prescribed inspection intervals to prevent potential failures or malfunctions during flight operations.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 – 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. Among these, AD/CESSNA 210/4 Amendment 2 is pertinent to the Cessna 210 Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the inspection of plastic control wheels. This directive applies to all Cessna 210 models equipped with plastic control wheels, as detailed in Cessna Service Letters (SL) No. 62-44 and No. 64-8. The primary requirement is that inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service for document 1(a) and 500 hours for document 1(b), following the directive's issuance on 1 September 1971. Under these regulations, the entities responsible for the operation of the Cessna 210 aeroplanes must ensure that the plastic control wheels are inspected as stipulated. This involves a thorough visual inspection for any signs of degradation, cracks, or other defects that might compromise the structural integrity or operational safety of the control wheels. Maintenance personnel must document each inspection, including the findings and any corrective actions taken, in accordance with the prescribed intervals. Failure to comply with these inspection requirements may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy. Failure to adhere to the mandated inspection intervals and procedures could lead to significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives is an offence. Those responsible for the maintenance and operation of the aircraft could face substantial penalties. The maximum penalties for such breaches can include fines and, in more severe cases, imprisonment, reflecting the gravity of ensuring airworthiness and safety in aviation operations. Additionally, the aircraft may be grounded until the required inspections and necessary repairs are completed, potentially leading to operational disruptions and additional costs for the operators. The regulatory framework thus imposes a clear obligation on all parties involved in the maintenance and operation of Cessna 210 aeroplanes to comply with the specified inspection intervals and documentation requirements. This is essential to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew. The penalties for non-compliance underscore the importance of adhering to these standards, highlighting the critical role of regulatory compliance in the aviation industry.