AD/CESSNA 303/12 Amdt 1 - Aircraft Flight Manual, Flight into Icing Conditions

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Cessna T303 Series Aeroplanes

 

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE


For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 303/12 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

 

AD/CESSNA 303/12

Amdt 1

Applicability: Model T303. Requirement:  Revise:


Aircraft Flight Manual, Flight into Icing Conditions


7/2000

  1. the Limitations Section of the aircraft's Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) by incorporating the following:

 

"WARNING"

Severe icing may result from environmental conditions outside of those for which the aircraft is certificated.

 

Flight in freezing rain, freezing drizzle, or mixed icing conditions (super cooled liquid water and ice crystals) may result in:

 

  • ice build-up on protected surfaces and exceed the capability of the ice protection system, or

 

  • ice forming aft of the protected surfaces.

This ice may not be shed using the ice protection systems, and may seriously degrade the performance and controllability of the aircraft.

 

During flight, severe icing conditions that exceed those for which the aircraft is certificated shall be determined by the visual cues described below. If one or more of these visual cues exists, immediately request priority handling from Air Traffic Control to facilitate a route or an altitude change to exit the icing conditions. The cues are:

 

  • unusually extensive ice accumulation on the airframe and windscreen in areas not normally observed to collect ice, and/or

 

  • accumulation of ice on the upper surface of the wing aft of the protected area, and/or

 

  • accumulation of ice on the engine nacelles and propeller spinners farther aft than normally observed.

Since the auto-pilot, when installed and operating, may mask tactile cues that indicate adverse changes in handling characteristics, use of the auto-pilot is prohibited when any of the visual cues specified above exist, or when unusual lateral trim requirements or auto-pilot trim warnings are encountered while the aircraft is in icing conditions.

 

All wing icing inspection lights must be operative prior to flight into known or forecast icing conditions at night. This direction supersedes any relief provided  by any Minimum Equipment List.

 

2.     the Normal Procedures Section of the AFM by incorporating the following:

 

THE FOLLOWING WEATHER CONDITIONS MAY BE CONDUCIVE TO SEVERE IN-FLIGHT ICING:

  • Visible rain at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius ambient air temperature;
  • Droplets that splash or splatter on impact at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius ambient air temperature.

 

PROCEDURES FOR EXITING A SEVERE ICING

ENVIRONMENT: (These procedures are applicable to all flight phases from take-off to landing.)

 

Monitor the ambient air temperature.

 

While severe icing may form at temperatures as cold as -18 degrees Celsius, increased vigilance is warranted at temperatures around freezing when visible moisture is present.

 

 

If the visual cues which are specified in the Limitations Section of the AFM for identifying severe icing conditions are observed, accomplish the following:

 

  • Immediately request priority handling from Air Traffic Control to facilitate a route or an altitude change to exit the severe icing conditions in order to avoid extended exposure to flight conditions more severe than those for which the aircraft has been certificated.

 

  • Avoid abrupt and excessive manoeuvring that may exacerbate control difficulties.

 

  • Do not engage the autopilot.
  • If the autopilot had previously been engaged, hold the control wheel firmly and disengage the autopilot.

 

  • If an unusual roll response or un-commanded roll control movement is observed, reduce the angle-of-attack.

 

  • Do not extend flaps when holding in icing conditions. Operation with flaps extended can result in a reduced wing angle-of-attack, with the possibility of ice forming on the upper surface further aft on the wing than normal, possibly aft of the protected area.

 

  • If the flaps are extended, do not retract them until the airframe is clear of ice.
  • Report these weather conditions to Air Traffic Control.

Note 1: Certificate of Registration holders should initiate action to ensure notification of this change is conveyed to any person who may operate their aircraft as pilot in command.

 

Note 2: FAA AD 98-04-28 refers.

 

Certification for accomplishment of this Directive may be carried out:

 

  1. after a copy of this Directive is included in the appropriate sections of the aircraft's AFM; and

 

b.    may be carried out at a minimum, by the holder of a private pilot's licence.

 

 

Compliance: Within 30 days after the Effective date of this Amendment.

 

This Amendment becomes effective on 13 July 2000.

 

Background:  This Directive is issued to minimise the potential hazards associated with operating the aircraft in severe icing conditions by providing more clearly defined procedures and limitations associated with such conditions.

 

Amendment 1 is issued to correct a word processing error in the initial issue.

 

The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 23 March 2000.


 

Bernard Malcolm Hole

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 31 May 2000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 June 2000.

Overview

The Cessna T303 Series Aeroplanes Airworthiness Directive, enacted in 2000 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as an amendment to CAR 1998, addresses the risks associated with operating aircraft in severe icing conditions. The directive was issued to provide clearer procedures and limitations for pilots operating Cessna T303 series aircraft, aiming to minimise the hazards associated with such conditions. CASA revoked the previous AD/CESSNA 303/12 and issued this directive to ensure that the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) includes updated information on limitations and procedures for flying in severe icing conditions. This includes specifying visual cues that indicate severe icing, prohibiting the use of the autopilot in these conditions, and detailing procedures for exiting a severe icing environment. The policy objective of this directive is to enhance the safety of flight operations by ensuring that pilots are well-informed about the risks and appropriate responses to severe icing conditions.

Scope and Application

The Cessna T303 Series Aeroplanes Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 303/12 applies specifically to the T303 model aircraft, mandating revisions to the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) to address and mitigate the risks associated with flight into severe icing conditions. This AD is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CAR) 1998 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, Bernard Malcolm Hole, and is applicable nationwide across Australia. The directive requires the AFM to incorporate specific warnings and procedures related to severe icing conditions, including the necessity to request priority handling from Air Traffic Control if certain visual cues indicating severe icing are observed, and to prohibit the use of the autopilot in such conditions. This requirement applies to all holders of certificates of registration for T303 aircraft, including private pilots, and must be complied with within 30 days of the directive's effective date. The AD aims to enhance the safety of operations by clearly outlining the conditions and procedures for exiting severe icing environments, thus ensuring that the aircraft remains within the conditions for which it is certificated.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 303/12 (sections 2 and 3) amends the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) for the Cessna T303 Series Aeroplanes to address severe icing conditions, specifically requiring revisions to both the Limitations and Normal Procedures sections of the AFM. Section 2 mandates that the Limitations Section include a warning about the risks of severe icing conditions outside the aircraft's certification, detailing visual cues for identifying these conditions and prohibiting the use of the autopilot in such situations. Section 3 requires the Normal Procedures Section to outline weather conditions conducive to severe in-flight icing and procedures for exiting severe icing environments, including avoiding abrupt maneuvers, reporting conditions to Air Traffic Control, and not engaging or disengaging the autopilot without firm control wheel pressure. Under the AD, the holders of the certificates of registration for these aircraft (section 4) are obligated to ensure that the specified changes are incorporated into their aircraft's AFM. These changes must be implemented within 30 days of the AD's effective date, which is 13 July 2000. Certification of compliance with the AD can be performed by the holder of a private pilot's licence, among others, once the AD has been included in the appropriate sections of the AFM. Failure to comply with the AD (section 5) may result in safety risks due to inadequate procedures for handling severe icing conditions, potentially leading to compromised aircraft controllability and performance. There are no specific penalties mentioned in the AD for non-compliance, but any failure to adhere to the requirements could lead to regulatory actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), including potential enforcement actions or penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 or the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. The exact penalties for non-compliance would depend on the specific circumstances and any subsequent investigations by CASA.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.