COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 310 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 310/39 Main Landing Gear Attachment - Inspection 9/75
Applicability: All models 310 to 310K inclusive. Requirement: With aeroplane on jacks:
- Remove Main Landing Gear Attaching “U” Bolts and Shafts.
2. Visually inspect the “U” Bolts, with the aid of a 10X glass, in the area of the thread root ends for cracks.
3. Visually inspect the Attaching Shafts, with the aid of a 10X glass, in the area of the roll pin hole for cracks.
Compliance: 1. For MLG attachment shafts and “U” bolts which have achieved 2500 hours time in service at 12 August 1975; within 100 hours time in service and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 200 hours time in service.
2. All other MLG attachment shafts and “U” bolts; before achieving 2500 hours time in service and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 200 hours time in service.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, form a comprehensive framework for ensuring the safety and regulation of civil aviation in Australia. One of the specific legislative instruments within this framework is the Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 310/39, which addresses the maintenance and inspection requirements for the Cessna 310 Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the safety concerns related to the main landing gear attachment of these aircraft, specifically the “U” bolts and attaching shafts. The directive aims to ensure these components are regularly inspected for cracks, thereby mitigating the risk of in-flight failure. The objective is to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and protect the safety of passengers and crew, aligning with broader policy goals of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to enhance aviation safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Cessna 310 Series aeroplanes, from models 310 to 310K inclusive. The regulation mandates the inspection of the main landing gear attachments, requiring the removal of the “U” bolts and shafts while the aeroplane is on jacks. The inspection must include a visual examination of the “U” bolts and attaching shafts for cracks, using a 10X magnifying glass. The compliance requirement stipulates different inspection intervals based on the time in service of the main landing gear attachment components. For those components that had achieved 2500 hours of service by 12 August 1975, inspections must be conducted within 100 hours of service and then at intervals not exceeding 200 hours. For all other components, inspections must occur before reaching 2500 hours of service and then at the same intervals. This regulation applies nationally across Australia under the Commonwealth jurisdiction and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes Airworthiness Directives (AD) that govern the maintenance and inspection of aircraft to ensure they remain safe for operation. One such directive is AD/CESSNA 310/39, which applies to all Cessna 310 series aeroplanes, from models 310 to 310K inclusive. This directive mandates the inspection of the main landing gear attaching “U” bolts and shafts (section 9/75). The primary requirement is that the aeroplane must be placed on jacks to facilitate the removal of the main landing gear attaching “U” bolts and shafts for inspection.
The inspection process involves a detailed visual examination of the “U” bolts and attaching shafts. Specifically, section 2 of the directive requires that the “U” bolts be inspected with the aid of a 10X magnifying glass, focusing on the area of the thread root ends for any cracks. Similarly, section 3 mandates that the attaching shafts be inspected in the area of the roll pin hole for cracks, also using a 10X magnifying glass. These inspections are crucial to ensure that there are no structural weaknesses that could compromise the safety of the aircraft during landing.
The compliance requirements outlined in section 1 of the directive differ based on the time in service of the main landing gear (MLG) attachment shafts and “U” bolts. For those that have achieved 2500 hours of time in service as of 12 August 1975, the initial inspection must occur within 100 hours of time in service. Thereafter, inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of time in service. For all other MLG attachment shafts and “U” bolts, the initial inspection must take place before they reach 2500 hours of time in service, with subsequent inspections occurring at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of time in service.
Failure to comply with these inspection requirements can result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose obligations on aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel to adhere strictly to these directives. Non-compliance could lead to civil and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The specific penalties for breaches of these regulations are not detailed within the text of the directive itself but are outlined in other sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. Ensuring adherence to these directives is paramount for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the Cessna 310 series aeroplanes.