AD/CESSNA 310/35 Amdt 1 - Main Landing Gear Aft Trunnion Support Spar - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve as a comprehensive framework to regulate civil aviation operations within Australia. One of the key legislative instruments under this act is the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/CESSNA 310/35 Amendment 1, which addresses the maintenance and inspection requirements for the main landing gear aft trunnion support spar of Cessna 310 Series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to ensure the ongoing airworthiness and safety of these aircraft by mandating regular inspections and, where necessary, modifications to critical components to prevent potential structural failures. The policy objective is to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation, protecting both passengers and crew from potential hazards arising from mechanical failures.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39-105, applies to the maintenance and safety of aircraft operating within Australia, including the Cessna 310 series aeroplanes. This legislation mandates that all models of Cessna 310 aeroplanes, except those equipped with Cessna Service Kit SK310-91A or an equivalent, must adhere to Airworthiness Directives concerning the main landing gear aft trunnion support spar. These directives require an inspection of the specified aircraft component within 100 hours of service time after 10 February 1975, and subsequently, at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of service time until the aircraft is modified. The compliance requirements extend to any aircraft modified according to the preceding issue of this directive. The regulations underscore the necessity of regular inspections and modifications to maintain the airworthiness of the specified aircraft models within Australian airspace.

Key Provisions

The main sections of this legislative instrument, specifically AD/CESSNA 310/35 Amendment 1, focus on the inspection and modification of the main landing gear aft trunnion support spar for the Cessna 310 Series aeroplanes (section 1). This directive applies to all models except those with Cessna Service Kit SK310-91A or equivalent installed (section 2). The compliance requirement is to inspect the specified part within 100 hours of time in service after 10 February 1975 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until the specified modification is made (section 3). The directive notes that aircraft which have already been modified in accordance with the preceding issue of this directive are considered compliant with the current issue (section 4). The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose specific obligations on the operators of Cessna 310 Series aeroplanes. These obligations include ensuring that the inspection and modification of the main landing gear aft trunnion support spar are carried out in accordance with the specified intervals (section 1). Operators must maintain records of these inspections and modifications to demonstrate compliance with the regulations (section 5). Additionally, operators are required to follow the guidance provided in the document Cessna SL ME74-17 to conduct the inspections and modifications correctly (section 6). Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/CESSNA 310/35 Amendment 1 may result in various consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can be considered an offence. The maximum penalty for such an offence is typically a fine of up to $16,500 for an individual or $82,500 for a corporation, depending on the severity and circumstances of the breach (section 7). Furthermore, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take enforcement actions, which may include grounding the aircraft until the necessary inspections and modifications are completed (section 8). Continuous non-compliance could also lead to further legal actions and potential criminal charges, depending on the impact on aviation safety.