Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, provides the legal framework for ensuring the safety of civil aviation in the country. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations mandates the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives (ADs) as necessary to address identified safety issues. The AD/CESSNA 337/28, issued on 7 July 2000, is a specific instance of such a directive. This AD was introduced to address a potential safety hazard involving the fuel strainer assemblies of certain Cessna 337 series aeroplanes. The problem identified was the potential for incorrectly installed fuel standpipes in the assemblies, which could lead to foreign material entering the engine fuel system, thereby causing loss of engine power or engine stoppage during flight. The policy objective of the directive is to ensure that the specified aircraft models are safe to operate by requiring inspections and, if necessary, replacement of the affected fuel strainer assemblies.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to specific models of Cessna 337 Series aeroplanes, including various sub-models, which have been fitted with certain fuel strainer assemblies shipped between specified dates. The directive requires aircraft operators to inspect and, if necessary, replace the fuel strainer assembly to prevent potential engine issues due to incorrect installation of the fuel standpipe. This directive applies to all aircraft of the specified models that have the affected parts installed. The directive mandates that inspections and necessary replacements must be carried out within 12 months from its effective date and before further flights. This legislation is applicable nationally, covering all relevant aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia, and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this directive, meaning that all applicable aircraft must comply with the outlined requirements. The directive's scope and enforcement may be further detailed in subordinate instruments or additional regulatory guidance issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) pertains specifically to the Cessna 337 series aeroplanes and mandates particular actions to ensure airworthiness. Section (a) of the AD mandates inspection of the aircraft's fuel strainer assembly. For aircraft equipped with certain fuel strainer assemblies shipped from Cessna between December 12, 1996, and September 5, 1997, this involves measuring the standpipe in the fuel strainer assembly to ensure it does not exceed a maximum length of 1.68 inches, following the instructions provided in Cessna Multi Engine Service Bulletin MEB97-12 dated November 17, 1997. Section (b) requires that if the standpipe exceeds this length, the filter strainer top assembly must be replaced. Section (c) specifies that compliance with these requirements must occur within 12 calendar months from the effective date of the AD and prior to further flight. The AD imposes specific obligations on the holders of pilot licences who are not student pilots. These individuals must review the aircraft records to determine if any of the parts listed in the AD have been fitted to the aircraft. If the review concludes that none of the specified parts have been fitted, a certification stating that "This Directive does not apply as no parts listed in the Cessna MEB97-12 have been fitted to this aircraft" may be entered into the aircraft records. This ensures that only relevant aircraft are subject to the inspection and replacement requirements. Failure to comply with the AD can lead to significant safety risks, including the potential for foreign material to enter the engine fuel system, which could result in loss of engine power or complete engine stoppage in flight. While the AD itself does not explicitly state civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance, non-compliance with regulations issued under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions may include fines and other regulatory sanctions. The exact penalties would depend on the specific circumstances and the discretion of CASA in enforcing compliance.