AD/CESSNA 337/15 - Wing Strut Fairing - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the legislative instrument F2006B08234, address a specific safety concern related to the Cessna 337 series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this regulation was introduced to ensure that these aircraft models meet certain safety standards by modifying their wing strut fairings. The policy objective behind this enactment was to mitigate potential safety risks associated with the specified aircraft models, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as the enacting body, mandated compliance with the Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 337/15 within a stipulated timeframe, ensuring that the required modifications are completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1973 for the affected serial numbers. This regulation underscores the commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically address the Cessna 337 Series Aeroplanes through AD/CESSNA 337/15. This directive mandates a modification to the wing strut fairing for all models within specified serial number ranges, including S/Nos. 33701463 to 33701531, P3370001 to P3370121, and F3370056 and F3370057. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1973, as outlined in the referenced document Cessna SL ME73-21 Item 1. This legislation applies to aircraft operators and maintenance providers who must ensure that the specified modifications are completed in accordance with the set timeframe to maintain airworthiness standards. The regulation's jurisdictional reach is national, applying across Australia as per the Commonwealth's civil aviation regulatory framework. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the directive, meaning all affected aircraft must comply with the specified requirements.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines Airworthiness Directives (AD) aimed at ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. Under this Part, AD/CESSNA 337/15 pertains to the Cessna 337 series aeroplanes and mandates modifications to the wing strut fairing (Section 12/73). This directive applies to all models with specific serial numbers: 33701463 to 33701531, P3370001 to P3370121, and F3370056 and F3370057 (Section 1). The required modification is documented in Cessna SL ME73-21 Item 1, and compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1973 (Section 12/73). The obligations imposed by this directive include ensuring that the specified models of Cessna 337 aeroplanes undergo the necessary wing strut fairing modification as outlined in the referenced document. Operators of these aircraft must ensure that the modification is completed within the specified timeframe to maintain compliance with airworthiness standards. This requirement is crucial for the continued safe operation of these aeroplanes and is non-negotiable to uphold safety standards mandated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/CESSNA 337/15 can result in serious consequences. The regulations outline potential civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. Operators may face enforcement actions, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are made. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, severe breaches may also lead to criminal charges, with penalties including substantial fines and imprisonment. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the breach and are determined by the relevant courts. Ensuring adherence to the AD is therefore imperative to avoid these significant repercussions.