AD/CESSNA 310/38 - Propeller Governor - Inspection and Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (F2006B08165), a legislative instrument enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically addresses the issue of ensuring the airworthiness of civil aircraft, including the Cessna 310 Series aeroplanes. This regulation is part of a broader effort to enhance aviation safety by establishing mandatory standards and directives to be followed by aircraft operators and manufacturers. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has introduced this directive to address the potential risk of propeller over-speeding, which can lead to catastrophic failure and compromise the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. The policy objective behind these regulations is to mandate the inspection and replacement of the propeller governor on Cessna 310P and 310Q models, ensuring compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 29 August 1975, as specified in the requirement documents including McCauley SB 108, Cessna SL ME75-12, and FAA AD 75-12-07.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, address the maintenance and safety standards required for certain aircraft models, including the Cessna 310 Series Aeroplanes. This regulation applies to the specific models 310P and 310Q and mandates the inspection and replacement of the propeller governor as outlined in the referenced documents such as the McCauley SB 108, Cessna SL ME75-12, or FAA AD 75-12-07. Compliance with this Airworthiness Directive is required within 100 hours of time in service after the directive was issued on 29 August 1975. The regulation is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and applies nationally across Australia, ensuring that the specified aircraft maintain airworthiness standards. The scope is limited to the mentioned Cessna models and the particular issue of the propeller governor, with no stated exclusions or exemptions in the provided text.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandate the inspection and replacement of the propeller governor for certain Cessna 310 series aeroplanes, namely models 310P and 310Q. This directive, identified as AD/CESSNA 310/38, requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service following 29 August 1975. The relevant documents to be referenced for compliance are the McCauley SB 108, the Cessna SL ME75-12, or the FAA AD 75-12-07 (paragraph 1). These regulations impose clear obligations on the operators and owners of the specified Cessna aeroplane models. They must ensure that the propeller governor is inspected and, if necessary, replaced in accordance with the outlined timeframes. Compliance with this directive is crucial for maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft, thereby ensuring the safety of all individuals on board (paragraph 2). Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/CESSNA 310/38 can lead to significant consequences. Operators who do not adhere to the inspection and replacement requirements may face civil penalties, as outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. The maximum penalties for non-compliance can include substantial fines, reflecting the serious nature of maintaining airworthiness standards. Such penalties are intended to enforce strict adherence to safety directives and protect the interests of the aviation community (paragraph 3). In summary, AD/CESSNA 310/38 is a critical directive under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, necessitating the inspection and replacement of the propeller governor for certain Cessna 310 series aeroplanes within 100 hours of service after 29 August 1975. This requirement is vital for maintaining airworthiness and ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew. Non-compliance with this directive can result in severe civil penalties, underscoring the importance of adhering to these safety regulations (paragraph 4).