AD/CESSNA 337/16 - Alternator Cable Protection - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, establish comprehensive safety standards and requirements for civil aviation operations in Australia. One of the key aspects of these regulations is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) aimed at ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. AD/CESSNA 337/16, introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, addresses a specific safety issue related to the Cessna 337 series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of electrical failures due to alternator cable damage, which could potentially lead to in-flight electrical failures and compromise the safety of the aircraft. The directive requires the installation of a circuit protective device to safeguard the alternator output supply cable, with compliance mandated within a specified timeframe to ensure all affected aircraft meet the required safety standards. The policy objective is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation by proactively addressing identified hazards and ensuring that all aircraft meet stringent airworthiness criteria.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically address the airworthiness directives for various aircraft, including the Cessna 337 series aeroplanes. The particular directive AD/CESSNA 337/16 concerns the installation of a circuit protective device for the alternator cable to ensure safety and compliance with airworthiness standards. This directive applies to all models within the specified serial number range, from 337-0756 to 337-01550. The directive mandates that the protective device, which can be a fuse or a circuit breaker, be installed in the rear alternator output supply cable as close as practical to the battery relay connection. It is important to note that compliance with this directive must be achieved within 200 hours of time in service after 31 January 1975. The directive extends its application to any aircraft operating within the Commonwealth of Australia and adheres to the guidelines set forth in the Air Navigation Order 108.32, Appendix 3, Table 6, which provides a suitable cable and circuit protector coordination chart. This legislative instrument ensures that the specified modifications are uniformly applied across the relevant aircraft to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include a schedule of airworthiness directives concerning various aircraft models. This includes a directive for Cessna 337 series aeroplanes, denoted as AD/CESSNA 337/16, which pertains to the modification of alternator cable protection (section 1). The directive applies to all models with serial numbers ranging from 337-0756 to 337-01550 (section 2). The primary requirement is the installation of a circuit protective device, such as a fuse or circuit breaker, in the rear alternator output supply cable as close to the battery relay connection as practical (section 3). Under this directive, the parties or entities governed by it, which include aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance providers, must ensure compliance by installing the specified protective device within the stipulated timeframe (section 4). The installation must be completed within 200 hours of time in service after 31 January 1975 (section 5). Furthermore, the directive refers to the Air Navigation Order 108.32, Appendix 3, Table 6, which provides a suitable cable and circuit protector co-ordination chart to assist in the implementation of this requirement (section 6). Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive may result in non-compliance with civil aviation regulations, potentially leading to civil or criminal consequences. The exact nature and severity of these consequences may depend on the specific circumstances of the non-compliance and the discretion of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in enforcing the regulations (section 7). The potential penalties for breach of these regulations can include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft operating certificates, or other enforcement actions deemed appropriate by CASA (section 8). The maximum penalties, however, are not explicitly stated in this particular directive but are generally detailed in other sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations or related legislation.