AD/CESSNA 337/3 - Open Wire Aerial Installation - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring the safety of civil aviation operations within Australia. One of the specific legislative instruments under this overarching regulation is the Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 337/3, which targets a particular safety concern related to Cessna 337 Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the problem of potential structural failure due to side loads on the bakelite aerial standoff mast of certain Cessna models, specifically those fitted with a P/N 0411217 mast. The policy objective behind this directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft by requiring the re-rigging of aerials to eliminate side loads on the mast or the replacement of the mast with a type that can withstand the applied loads. This action is intended to prevent structural failure and ensure the safety of passengers and crew. Compliance with these directives is mandatory and must be achieved within 300 hours of time in service after the directive's issuance on 15 August 1966.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Cessna 337 Series Aeroplanes that are fitted with a bakelite aerial standoff mast, Cessna P/N 0411217, and have aerials rigged in a manner which applies a side load to the mast. This requirement is mandated by the Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 337/3, which seeks to address potential safety hazards by ensuring that the aerials are re-rigged to remove any side load from the mast or that the mast itself is replaced with one of a type suitable for the loads applied. Compliance with these directives is mandatory and must be achieved within 300 hours of time in service after 15 August 1966, ensuring that all affected aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to operate within Australian airspace. The regulation applies to the Commonwealth and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with no stated exclusions or exemptions under this directive. Subordinate instruments may further detail specific procedures and compliance measures.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, detail the requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft. One such requirement is outlined in AD/CESSNA 337/3, which concerns the modification of open wire aerial installations on Cessna 337 Series aeroplanes (section 39 - 105.1). This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to all Cessna 337 models equipped with a bakelite aerial standoff mast, Cessna P/N 0411217, where the aerials are rigged in such a way that they apply a side load to the mast (section 39 - 105.2). The directive mandates that the aerials be re-rigged to eliminate any side load on the mast or, alternatively, the mast should be replaced with one that can withstand the applied loads (section 39 - 105.3). Suitable replacements for the mast include the Rex Aviation mast comprising rod P/N RA483 and bracket P/N RA482-A or RA482-B (section 39 - 105.4). Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within 300 hours of time in service following 15 August 1966 (section 39 - 105.5). The obligations imposed by this AD on the parties involved, such as aircraft owners and operators, are to ensure that the specified modifications to the aerial installations are carried out as directed. This includes either re-rigging the aerials to prevent side loads on the mast or replacing the mast with a suitable alternative (section 39 - 105.6). Additionally, these parties must ensure that the modifications are completed within the stipulated timeframe to maintain compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations (section 39 - 105.7). Failure to comply with this directive may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to operational restrictions and potential grounding of the aircraft until the necessary modifications are made (section 39 - 105.8). Failure to adhere to the requirements set out in AD/CESSNA 337/3 could result in serious safety implications, as the aerial rigging or mast may be compromised, leading to potential structural failures (section 39 - 105.9). In terms of legal consequences, the Civil Aviation Regulations provide for penalties for non-compliance. Under section 112 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, an individual or entity found in breach of the AD may be subject to civil penalties, which can include fines up to a maximum of $165,000 for corporations and $33,000 for individuals, as well as criminal penalties, including imprisonment for up to five years for serious breaches (section 39 - 105.10). These penalties underscore the importance of strict compliance with airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of all aviation operations.