COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 310 Series Aeroplanes
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 310/55 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/CESSNA 310/55
Amdt 1
Seat Back Reinforcing Strap 3/2001
Applicability: Model 310 aircraft with serial numbers 310Q0201 to 310R2140.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Cessna MEB 89-3 Revision 1, dated 12 October 1990. Compliance: Before 22 May 2001, unless already accomplished.
This amendment becomes effective on 22 March 2001.
Background: In Australia there was a short history of seat back failure in the affected aircraft. The most recent being a total failure in IMC conditions, which in normal single pilot operation would have resulted in total loss of control near the ground.
Amendment 1 is raised in response to administrative oversight by introducing Revision 1 of the Requirement document. This amendment does not present any new technical requirements, although a check may be required to confirm the correct size strap retaining pins have been installed.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 1 April 1993.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 8 February 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 21 February 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, represent a comprehensive legal framework for ensuring the safety and regulation of civil aviation within the country. Part 39 of these regulations, which includes Airworthiness Directives, aims to address specific safety concerns that may arise with certain aircraft models. One such Airworthiness Directive, AD/CESSNA 310/55, was introduced to tackle issues related to seat back failure in Cessna 310 Series aeroplanes, particularly those with serial numbers between 310Q0201 and 310R2140. This directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to mandate corrective actions that ensure the aircraft remain airworthy and safe for operation. The policy objective behind this directive is to mitigate the risk of seat back failure, which could lead to loss of control, particularly in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) and during single-pilot operations.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, focuses on ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft, specifically targeting the Cessna 310 Series Aeroplanes. This Airworthiness Directive applies to model 310 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 310Q0201 to 310R2140, mandating specific actions to rectify identified safety issues. The directive is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate and is effective as of 22 March 2001. The requirement outlined in the directive necessitates compliance with Cessna MEB 89-3 Revision 1, dated 12 October 1990, and mandates that the corrective action be completed before 22 May 2001, unless already addressed. This directive underscores CASA’s commitment to maintaining stringent safety standards for aviation operations within Australia.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 310/55 Amendment 1 (section 3) pertains specifically to Model 310 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 310Q0201 to 310R2140. The directive requires adherence to the specifications outlined in Cessna MEB 89-3 Revision 1, dated 12 October 1990. The compliance deadline for this action is before 22 May 2001, unless the specified action has already been completed. This amendment came into effect on 22 March 2001.
The obligations imposed by this AD are stringent and clear. Operators of the specified aircraft models must ensure that the seat back reinforcing strap is installed and secured in accordance with the directives provided in the referenced document. This involves a meticulous inspection and, if necessary, the replacement or adjustment of the strap to meet the specified requirements. The directive mandates that these actions be taken without delay, highlighting the importance of maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the AD/CESSNA 310/55 Amendment 1 could result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces strict compliance, and non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions, including potential grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are completed. Additionally, operators may face civil penalties, which could include fines and other sanctions as determined by CASA. The seriousness of the directive underscores the potential risks associated with not adhering to the specified safety measures.