Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 as a comprehensive legislative instrument to ensure the safety and regulation of civil aviation within Australia. One specific aspect of these regulations is found in Part 39 - 105, which pertains to Airworthiness Directives for particular aircraft models. This legislative instrument addresses gaps in the maintenance and operational standards of aircraft to mitigate safety risks and ensure compliance with international standards. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety through stringent and regular inspections, maintenance requirements, and compliance checks, ensuring that aircraft remain airworthy and safe for operation. This particular legislative instrument focuses on Cessna 310 Series Aeroplanes, with Amendment 6 specifically addressing the engine exhaust system for all turbocharged models. The directive mandates comprehensive inspections and maintenance procedures, as outlined in Cessna Service Information Letters No. ME 75-17 and ME79-32, to ensure that the engine exhaust system is maintained in accordance with prescribed safety standards. The requirement includes detailed inspections and the replacement of specific components to prevent potential safety issues associated with the engine exhaust system. The directive ensures regular compliance checks at specified intervals to maintain the airworthiness of these aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains to the inspection and maintenance of engine exhaust systems in all turbocharged models of Cessna 310 Series aeroplanes. This regulation applies to all operators and owners of these aircraft and mandates compliance with detailed inspection and maintenance instructions as outlined in Cessna Service Information Letters (SILs) No. ME 75-17 and ME79-32. The inspections and maintenance must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 50 hours, 100 hours, and 750 hours of time in service, respectively. The scope of the regulation is national, covering all areas within the Commonwealth of Australia, and it applies to both domestic and international flights operating under Australian registration. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within this directive, meaning all applicable aircraft must adhere to the stipulated inspection and maintenance requirements. The application of this directive can be extended or modified through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include a schedule of airworthiness directives for the Cessna 310 Series Aeroplanes. Within this, AD/CESSNA 310/36 Amendment 6 pertains to the engine exhaust system for all turbocharged models. The directive mandates detailed inspections and maintenance procedures to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft. According to section 1, operators must inspect the engine exhaust system in accordance with Cessna SIL No. ME 75-17, including the expanded inspection and maintenance instructions detailed in Cessna SIL No. ME79-32. Section 2 requires inspecting the specific items listed in Table 2 of Cessna SIL No. ME79-32, while Section 3 demands the replacement of multi-segment "V" band exhaust clamps listed in Table 3 of the same document. The FAA AD 75-23-08 Amendment 39-5451 is referenced for further guidance. Operators of the Cessna 310 Series Aeroplanes are required to adhere to specific intervals for inspections and maintenance. According to section 1, an inspection must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service. Section 2 stipulates that additional inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. Finally, section 3 indicates that certain components must be replaced at intervals not exceeding 750 hours of time in service. These intervals are crucial for maintaining the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Failure to comply with these inspection and maintenance requirements may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential operational disruptions and safety risks. Failure to comply with the provisions outlined in AD/CESSNA 310/36 Amendment 6 can result in severe consequences. Section 4 of the regulations outlines the potential penalties for non-compliance. While the exact penalties are not detailed in the provided text, it is known that CASA has the authority to impose both civil and criminal penalties for breaches of airworthiness directives. Civil penalties can include fines, while criminal penalties can include imprisonment. The severity of the penalties may depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, as well as any resulting safety incidents. Operators must, therefore, ensure strict adherence to the specified inspection and maintenance intervals to avoid these consequences. In conclusion, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, mandate specific inspection and maintenance requirements for the engine exhaust system of Cessna 310 Series Aeroplanes. Compliance with AD/CESSNA 310/36 Amendment 6 is essential to maintain airworthiness, with inspections required at intervals not exceeding 50, 100, and 750 hours of time in service. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to significant civil and criminal penalties, highlighting the importance of adherence to CASA’s directives. Operators must diligently follow these provisions to ensure the safety and continued airworthiness of their aircraft.