COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 336 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 336/12
Amdt 1
Vented Fuel Caps - Installation 9/88
Applicability: Model 336 with S/Nos. 336-0001 to 336-0195. Requirement: Install vented fuel cap(s) in accordance with:
1. Cessna SL No. SE 77-6; or
2. FAA AD 79-10-14, Amendment 39-3475.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 August 1979; or Before 1 January 1980; whichever is the later.
Background: To guard against the possibility of either an obstructed primary vent or sticking of the fuel tank vent valve it has been found necessary to provide secondary venting in the form of vented fuel caps. Due to some misinterpretation of this Directive a note has now been added to disallow the fitting of a placard.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, introduced a directive aimed at enhancing the safety of Cessna 336 Series Aeroplanes through the installation of vented fuel caps. This directive was enacted to address the potential hazards associated with obstructed primary vents or sticking fuel tank vent valves, which could compromise the safety of aircraft operations. The regulation was introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as an Airworthiness Directive (AD) with the purpose of ensuring that the specified models of Cessna 336 aeroplanes comply with safety standards by installing secondary venting mechanisms. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 336-0001 to 336-0195, and must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1979 or before 1 January 1980, whichever is later. The directive also clarifies that placards are not an acceptable alternative to the installation of vented fuel caps.
This regulation was designed to prevent misinterpretation of the directive, which had previously led to confusion regarding compliance measures. By mandating the installation of vented fuel caps, CASA aims to mitigate the risks associated with fuel tank ventilation issues, thereby enhancing overall aircraft safety. The directive underscores the importance of adhering to specified safety measures and ensuring that all applicable aircraft meet the required safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia and governs the airworthiness directives, including the installation of vented fuel caps for the Cessna 336 Series aeroplanes. This regulation mandates the installation of vented fuel caps on Model 336 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 336-0001 to 336-0195, ensuring compliance with either Cessna Service Letter No. SE 77-6 or the Federal Aviation Administration's AD 79-10-14, Amendment 39-3475. The directive requires the installation to be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1979, or before 1 January 1980, whichever is later, to mitigate risks associated with obstructed primary vents or sticking fuel tank vent valves. The regulation excludes any fitting of placards as noted in the directive to prevent misinterpretation. The application of these regulations extends through subordinate instruments, ensuring a comprehensive approach to maintaining the airworthiness of the specified aircraft models.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly under Part 39, Section 105, mandates specific safety directives for the operation of certain aircraft models. The most recent addition to these regulations is AD/CESSNA 336/12 Amendment 1, which pertains to the installation of vented fuel caps on Cessna 336 Series aeroplanes. This amendment applies to aircraft with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 336-0001 to 336-0195 (Section 1). The directive requires that vented fuel caps be installed in compliance with either Cessna Service Letter No. SE 77-6 or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 79-10-14, Amendment 39-3475 (Section 2).
The primary objective of this directive is to address the risk of obstructed primary vents or malfunction of the fuel tank vent valve by ensuring that secondary venting is provided through the installation of these vented fuel caps. The compliance timeframe stipulates that these installations must be completed within 100 hours of time in service following 31 August 1979 or before 1 January 1980, whichever is the later (Section 3). This ensures that all affected aircraft are updated to the required safety standards without undue delay.
Entities governed by this directive are obligated to ensure that the specified vented fuel caps are installed according to the detailed instructions provided by either Cessna or the FAA. The directive explicitly states that a placard should not be used as a means of compliance, addressing previous misinterpretations of the requirement (Section 4). Compliance with these safety directives is mandatory to maintain the airworthiness of the affected aircraft, ensuring that they meet the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Failure to comply with the provisions of this directive may result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy. The consequences of such a breach can include severe penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which may encompass both civil and criminal liabilities. The specific penalties can include fines and potential imprisonment, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance. The maximum penalties for such violations are detailed in the relevant sections of the Civil Aviation Act, ensuring that there are clear repercussions for failing to adhere to the mandated safety requirements.