COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna T303 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 303/4
Amdt 2
Prohibition of Flight in Known Icing Conditions
10/87
Applicability: Cessna model T303 aeroplanes (all serial numbers).
Requirement: 1. For aircraft not modified with the installation of Cessna Modification as detailed in 2 below;
(a) Fabricate and install on the instrument panel in clear view of the pilot the following placard using letters of a minimum of 2.5mm in height:
“FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ICING PROHIBITED”.
(b) Cover the airplane operating placard statement, “This airplane is approved for flight into icing conditions if the proper optional equipment is installed and operational” with opaque tape.
2. For aircraft fitted with Cessna Horizontal/Vertical Stabilizer Kit SK 303-39 or SK 303-39A in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin MEB 86-18.
Remove any placard fitted in accordance with any issue of this Directive.
Note: Appropriate Flight Manual amendment will be required for aircraft in either category.
Compliance: Before further flight after 20 February 1986.
Background: A small amount (3mm to 6mm thickness) of ice on the unprotected junctures of the horizontal and vertical tail may disturb the airflow in such a way as to cause rudder/rudder pedal oscillations, pitch oscillations and possibly an uncommanded nose down pitch change requiring a higher than normal pull force to counteract. This phenomenon varies with certain combinations of airspeed, power setting, flap deflections, sideslips and type of icing conditions.
This AD addresses an aerodynamic problem (buffeting and pitch- over) and results from issue of FAA AD 86-01-01 R2 Amendment 39-5316 as amended by 39-5639. It is therefore independent of AD/CESSNA 303/2 Amdt 1 (originating from FAA AD 85-11-05 R1) which addresses a structural problem (flutter).
This amendment removes the restriction on flight in known icing conditions after incorporation of the modification kits as detailed above.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to ensure the safety of aviation operations within the country. One specific piece of legislation, AD/CESSNA 303/4 Amendment 2, addresses the safety concerns related to Cessna T303 Series Aeroplanes flying in known icing conditions. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority issued this amendment to prohibit flight in such conditions unless specific modifications are made. The amendment mandates the installation of a placard prohibiting flight into known icing conditions and requires covering an existing placard stating approval for such flights if certain modifications are not installed. The policy objective is to mitigate aerodynamic issues, such as buffeting and pitch-over, that can arise due to ice accumulation on the aircraft's unprotected junctures, which can lead to serious safety risks. Compliance with this directive is necessary before further flight after 20 February 1986.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning Airworthiness Directives for Cessna T303 Series Aeroplanes, applies to all serial numbers of the Cessna model T303 aeroplanes. The regulations mandate that for aircraft not modified with the installation of specified Cessna modifications, a placard must be installed on the instrument panel warning "FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ICING PROHIBITED" with letters no less than 2.5mm in height, and the existing placard statement permitting flight into icing conditions must be covered with opaque tape. Conversely, for aircraft that have been fitted with the Cessna Horizontal/Vertical Stabilizer Kit SK 303-39 or SK 303-39A as per Cessna Service Bulletin MEB 86-18, any placards installed in accordance with this directive must be removed. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved before further flight after 20 February 1986. The regulations are designed to address aerodynamic issues such as buffeting and pitch-over, arising from the accumulation of ice on the tail surfaces, which can lead to rudder/rudder pedal oscillations and pitch oscillations. These requirements are independent of other airworthiness directives that address different issues, such as structural problems.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39, Section 105, specifies detailed requirements for ensuring the airworthiness of Cessna T303 Series Aeroplanes, particularly concerning flight in known icing conditions. Section 1 mandates that for aircraft that have not been modified with the installation of specific Cessna Modifications, a clear placard must be fabricated and installed on the instrument panel stating "FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ICING PROHIBITED" (1(a)). Additionally, any existing placard that states the aircraft is approved for flight into icing conditions must be covered with opaque tape (1(b)). For aircraft that have been modified with certain Cessna Horizontal/Vertical Stabilizer Kits, any placard installed in compliance with this directive should be removed (2). These changes must be made before further flight after 20 February 1986.
The obligations imposed by this directive are straightforward but crucial. Aircraft operators must ensure that any Cessna T303 aeroplanes not modified as specified must have the required placard installed and the existing placard covered. For those that have been modified, the placard must be removed. These modifications and placard changes are necessary to comply with airworthiness standards and ensure the safe operation of the aircraft. Additionally, appropriate amendments to the aircraft's Flight Manual must be made to reflect these changes.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this directive can result in significant consequences. While the regulations do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, violating airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions can include grounding the aircraft, fines, and other administrative penalties. Additionally, operating an aircraft in conditions that it is not certified to fly in could lead to severe safety incidents, potentially resulting in accidents and further legal repercussions for the aircraft operator.