AD/CESSNA 210/65 - Fuel Line Chafing

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, include a schedule of airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 210/65, addresses the issue of fuel line chafing in Cessna 210 series aeroplanes, which can potentially lead to inflight fires. This directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of fuel line chafing by the electrical wiring loom, a problem identified in specific serial number ranges of the Cessna 210 series. Compliance with this directive requires a minimum clearance of 6.5mm between the fuel line and the wiring loom, and it must be achieved within a specified timeframe following the directive's issuance. The policy objective behind AD/CESSNA 210/65 is to enhance the safety of civil aviation by addressing a known hazard that could compromise the integrity of the fuel system and result in catastrophic consequences. The directive mandates corrective action unless it has already been implemented in accordance with prior communications from Cessna, and it references related actions by the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure consistency in international safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, apply to all Cessna 210 series aeroplanes with specific serial numbers and tail numbers, including T210-0393 through T210-0454 and P21000001 through P21000760, ensuring these aircraft meet stringent airworthiness standards. This legislation, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandates a minimum clearance of 6.5mm between the fuel line and electrical wiring loom to mitigate the risk of chafing, which could lead to an inflight fire. Compliance with this directive is required within 50 hours of time in service from 22 November 1991 or by 30 April 1992, whichever comes first, unless the action has already been performed in accordance with a previous directive. The regulation extends its jurisdictional reach across the Commonwealth of Australia, applying uniformly to all specified aircraft operating within its airspace.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically address the airworthiness directives for the Cessna 210 series aeroplanes through AD/CESSNA 210/65. This directive focuses on the issue of fuel line chafing, which can occur due to the proximity of the fuel line to the electrical wiring loom, particularly in the nose gear tunnel area (Section 1). The directive applies to all Cessna 210 series aircraft with specific serial numbers and model ranges, ensuring a targeted approach to addressing this safety concern. The primary requirement of this directive is to ensure a minimum clearance of 6.5mm (0.25 inches) between the fuel line and the electrical wiring loom to prevent chafing (Section 1). This action must be taken unless the specified previous corrective action outlined in Cessna Service Information Letter SE82-32 has already been implemented. Compliance with this directive must occur within 50 hours of time in service from 22 November 1991 or by 30 April 1992, whichever is the earlier date (Section 1). The obligations imposed by this airworthiness directive are clear and specific. Aircraft operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that the required clearance is achieved between the fuel line and the electrical wiring loom. This involves inspecting the current configuration and making any necessary adjustments to prevent chafing. The directive also references FAA AD 91-22-01 Amdt 39-8061, indicating a coordinated effort between regulatory bodies to address this safety issue (Section 1). It is crucial that these actions are documented and verified to demonstrate compliance with the directive. This ensures that the aircraft remains airworthy and reduces the risk of inflight fires caused by fuel line chafing. Failure to comply with the AD/CESSNA 210/65 directive can lead to serious consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can result in civil or criminal penalties under Australian aviation law. These can include fines, penalties, or even the grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are taken. Additionally, there could be safety implications, including the risk of inflight fires, which could endanger lives and property. The potential for such severe outcomes underscores the importance of adhering to the directive's requirements.