AD/CESSNA 310/23 - Fuel Line - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, include various provisions to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australia. One such provision is the Airworthiness Directive issued for Cessna 310 Series Aeroplanes, specifically AD/CESSNA 310/23, which was enacted to address potential safety risks associated with the fuel lines in model 310L and 310N aircraft. This directive was introduced to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft by requiring regular inspection and maintenance of the fuel lines to prevent any interference with the vapour return line, thereby avoiding potential safety hazards. The directive mandates that the specified fuel line (P/N 0800400-63) must be inspected and, if necessary, re-routed and clamped to ensure adequate clearance from the vapour return line (P/N 0800400-5), both of which are located in the leading edge of the wing. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service after 29 May 1970.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all model 310L and 310N Cessna 310 series aeroplanes in relation to airworthiness directives. This regulation mandates that the fuel line P/N 0800400-63 be inspected and, if necessary, re-routed and clamped to ensure it maintains adequate clearance from the vapour return line P/N 0800400-5, both of which are located in the leading edge of the wing. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 29 May 1970. The legislation is applicable nationally across the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which has the authority to extend or restrict the application of these directives through subordinate instruments as needed.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes detailed provisions for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 310/23, addresses the inspection of fuel lines on Cessna 310 Series Aeroplanes (section 5/70). This directive applies to all model 310L and 310N aircraft and mandates a thorough inspection of the fuel line part number 0800400-63. The inspection requires ensuring that this fuel line is adequately clear of the vapour return line part number 0800400-5, which is also situated in the leading edge of the wing. If necessary, the fuel line must be re-routed and clamped to maintain the required clearance. The obligation under this directive is for the aircraft operator or owner to conduct the inspection and make any necessary adjustments to the fuel line as required. This must be done within 100 hours of time in service after 29 May 1970, establishing a clear timeline for compliance. Ensuring the fuel line is properly routed and secured is critical to preventing potential fuel leaks or other safety hazards that could arise from interference between the fuel and vapour return lines. Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/CESSNA 310/23 can lead to serious safety implications. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can result in significant penalties. The consequences may include fines, legal action, and potential grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections and adjustments are completed. The specific penalties can vary, but they may include substantial financial penalties and other enforcement actions to ensure adherence to the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This underscores the importance of timely and accurate compliance with the directive to avoid any legal repercussions.