AD/CESSNA 336/4 - Open Wire Aerial Installation - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, include specific provisions to maintain the safety standards of aircraft within the country. One such provision is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the Cessna 336 Series Aeroplanes, introduced to address issues related to the structural integrity of aerial installations on these aircraft. The AD/CESSNA 336/4 specifically targets open wire aerial installations, requiring modifications to ensure they do not apply side loads to the bakelite aerial standoff mast, which could lead to structural failure. The directive mandates that aerials be re-rigged to eliminate any side load on the mast or that the mast be replaced with a suitable type capable of withstanding the applied loads, such as the Rex Aviation mast with specific part numbers. The policy objective is to enhance the safety of flight operations by preventing potential aerial failures that could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft. Compliance with this directive is mandatory within 300 hours of time in service after the directive was issued on 15 August 1969.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, govern the applicability of Airworthiness Directives, including AD/CESSNA 336/4, which pertains to the Cessna 336 Series Aeroplanes. This regulation applies to all models of the Cessna 336 Series fitted with a bakelite aerial stand-off mast Cessna P/N 0411217, where the aerials are rigged in a way that applies a side load to the mast. The directive mandates the re-rigging of the aerials to eliminate any side load on the mast or the replacement of the mast with a type suitable for the applied loads. The specified replacement parts include a Rex Aviation mast, which comprises rod P/No. RA-483 and bracket P/No. RA-482-A or RA-482-B. Compliance with these directives is required within 300 hours of time in service following 15 August 1969. These regulations are applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (C1998R), under Part 39 - 105, include specific airworthiness directives aimed at ensuring the safety and compliance of aircraft within Australia. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 336/4, pertains to the Cessna 336 Series Aeroplanes and focuses on the installation of open wire aerials (section 105). This directive mandates that all models fitted with a bakelite aerial stand off mast Cessna P/N 0411217, which have aerials rigged in a manner that applies a side load to the mast, must either re-rig the aerials to eliminate any side load on the mast or replace the mast with one that can withstand the applied loads (section 105). The directive specifies that a Rex Aviation mast, comprising rod P/No. RA-483 and bracket P/No. RA-482-A or RA-482-B, is an acceptable replacement option (section 105). The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and require compliance within a specific timeframe. Operators and owners of affected Cessna 336 Series Aeroplanes must ensure that the aerials are either re-rigged or the mast replaced to prevent side loads, within 300 hours of time in service after 15 August 1969 (section 105). This ensures that the aerial installation does not compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft, maintaining the high safety standards required by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Failure to comply with this airworthiness directive may result in serious consequences. While the regulations do not explicitly state civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance, the overarching principle is that any deviation from mandated safety directives can lead to severe repercussions. Non-compliance could potentially result in the aircraft being grounded, operational restrictions, or other enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft are paramount. It is important for operators and owners to adhere strictly to the directive to avoid any legal or safety-related issues.