COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 310 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 310/32
Amdt 3
Lower Wing Skin Rivets 10/91
Applicability: All model 310 with S/Nos. 310Q0714 to 310R0836. Requirement: Action in accordance with Cessna SL ME77-6.
Compliance: At each inspection for Maintenance Release issued after 3 October 1991. The compliance date of the previous issue of this Directive was 1 January 1978.
Background: This Directive was raised in response to Cessna SL ME77-6, which introduced repair instructions for use in the event of loose or working lower wing skin/front spar attach rivets. This amendment is raised to ensure ongoing inspections; due to the difficulty in identifying replaced rivets, and likely deterioration of bonding.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, addresses safety directives concerning aircraft airworthiness, including the AD/CESSNA 310/32 Amendment 3, which pertains to lower wing skin rivets for the Cessna 310 series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia and is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The purpose of this directive is to ensure the continued safety and airworthiness of specific Cessna 310 aeroplanes by mandating compliance with the requirements outlined in the Service Letter (SL) ME77-6. This directive was introduced to address the issue of loose or working lower wing skin/front spar attach rivets, ensuring that such issues are identified and rectified during routine maintenance inspections. The policy objective is to maintain the structural integrity of these aircraft and thereby enhance overall aviation safety.
The amendment to the directive, issued on 10 September 1991, requires compliance at each inspection for Maintenance Release issued after 3 October 1991, with the previous compliance date being 1 January 1978. This ongoing requirement aims to mitigate potential safety risks arising from the difficulty in identifying replaced rivets and the likelihood of bonding deterioration over time. By enforcing these regulations, CASA seeks to uphold stringent safety standards and prevent any compromise in the operational safety of the affected aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically Part 39 - 105 pertaining to the Cessna 310 Series Aeroplanes, applies to all model 310 with serial numbers ranging from 310Q0714 to 310R0836. This regulation mandates actions in accordance with Cessna Service Letter ME77-6, requiring the inspection and maintenance of lower wing skin rivets to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of the aircraft. Compliance with this directive is necessary at each inspection for a Maintenance Release issued after the specified date of 3 October 1991. This legislation ensures that all covered aircraft receive appropriate attention to critical structural components, maintaining safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The directive's geographic reach is national, as it applies across Australia under the oversight of the Commonwealth of Australia. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the scope of this particular directive, and it extends its application through the subordinate instrument, Cessna Service Letter ME77-6, which provides detailed repair instructions to address issues with loose or working lower wing skin/front spar attach rivets.
Key Provisions
The key provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in Part 39 - 105, mandate the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the continued safe operation of aircraft. Specifically, AD/CESSNA 310/32 Amendment 3 pertains to the Cessna 310 series aeroplanes, focusing on lower wing skin rivets (sections referenced in parentheses). The directive applies to all model 310 aeroplanes with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 310Q0714 to 310R0836. The primary requirement of this directive is that actions must be taken in accordance with Cessna Service Letter (SL) ME77-6, which provides repair instructions for addressing loose or working lower wing skin/front spar attach rivets. Compliance with this directive must occur at each inspection for a Maintenance Release issued after 3 October 1991.
This legislation imposes specific obligations on the parties governed by it, namely aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance service providers. They must ensure that all inspections and maintenance actions on the affected Cessna 310 series aeroplanes comply with the AD/CESSNA 310/32 Amendment 3. This includes following the repair instructions detailed in Cessna SL ME77-6. The directive underscores the necessity of thorough inspections to identify any issues with the lower wing skin rivets, particularly given the difficulty in identifying replaced rivets and the potential for bonding deterioration. The compliance date of the previous issue of this Directive was 1 January 1978, highlighting the longstanding importance of this inspection mandate.
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 also outline the potential consequences for non-compliance with the ADs. Failure to adhere to the requirements set forth in AD/CESSNA 310/32 Amendment 3 could lead to significant safety risks, potentially resulting in civil or criminal penalties. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions could include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory sanctions. The overarching aim of these provisions is to ensure the highest safety standards are maintained in the aviation industry, thereby protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of civil aviation operations.