COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 320 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 320/20 Main Landing Gear Aft Trunnion Support
Spar - Inspection and Modification
11/74
Applicability: All models with S/Nos. 320-0001 to 320D0130, except those with Cessna Service Kit SK 310-91A fitted.
Document: Cessna SL ME74-17.
Compliance: Inspect within 100 hours time in service after 31 December 1974 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service until modified.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Legislative Instrument F2006B08199, were enacted to address specific safety concerns associated with certain models of Cessna 320 Series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument targets the inspection and modification of the main landing gear aft trunnion support spar in these aircraft. The enactment of this regulation by the Commonwealth of Australia is aimed at ensuring the ongoing airworthiness and safety of these aeroplanes, thereby mitigating risks associated with the structural integrity of the landing gear. The policy objective is to enforce regular and timely inspections and modifications to prevent potential failures and ensure compliance with safety standards, ultimately protecting both the aircraft and its passengers.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issues the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which encompass a variety of directives to ensure airworthiness and safety within the aviation industry, including the AD/CESSNA 320/20 concerning Cessna 320 Series Aeroplanes. Specifically, this directive mandates inspections and modifications to the main landing gear aft trunnion support spar for certain models. The directive applies to all Cessna 320 Series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 320-0001 to 320D0130, with the exception of those that have already been fitted with Cessna Service Kit SK 310-91A. This regulation requires that the specified component be inspected within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1974, and subsequently, at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until modifications are implemented. The directive applies to aircraft operating within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring compliance with the stringent safety standards set by CASA.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, specifically address the airworthiness directives for the Cessna 320 Series Aeroplanes in the section titled "SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES Cessna 320 Series Aeroplanes AD/CESSNA 320/20 Main Landing Gear Aft Trunnion Support Spar - Inspection and Modification 11/74." This directive mandates inspections and modifications for the main landing gear aft trunnion support spar. Section 11/74 of the AD/CESSNA 320/20 outlines that the requirement applies to all models with serial numbers ranging from 320-0001 to 320D0130, excluding those that have the Cessna Service Kit SK 310-91A installed.
According to the provisions set out in section 11/74, operators and owners of the specified Cessna 320 series aeroplanes must ensure that the main landing gear aft trunnion support spar is inspected within 100 hours of time in service following 31 December 1974. This inspection must then be repeated at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until the required modifications are completed. The compliance document referenced is Cessna SL ME74-17, which provides detailed instructions on how to conduct the necessary inspections and the modifications that must be carried out if any issues are identified.
Operators and owners of the affected Cessna 320 series aeroplanes have specific obligations under this directive. They must ensure that the inspections are conducted by qualified personnel and that the necessary modifications are completed in accordance with the instructions provided in the Cessna SL ME74-17 document. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aeroplane being deemed unairworthy, which would prevent it from being operated until the necessary work has been completed.
Failure to adhere to the airworthiness directive and the inspection and modification requirements can result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with airworthiness directives is an offence. The penalties for such an offence can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. Additionally, the operator of the aeroplane could face civil penalties, and the aeroplane may be subject to grounding or other enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority until compliance is achieved. The exact penalties are not specified in the text but can be severe under Australian aviation law.