AD/CESSNA 340/20 - Wing Locker Fuel Tank Filler Cap - Rework

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, are integral to ensuring safety and compliance within the nation's civil aviation sector. The specific legislative instrument F2006B08266, issued under Part 39 - 105, addresses safety directives for certain aircraft models, particularly the Cessna 340 Series aeroplanes. This instrument was introduced to rectify safety concerns associated with the wing locker fuel tank filler cap of specific Cessna 340A models. The identified problem involved the risk of fuel siphoning, which could compromise flight safety. The policy objective is to enhance safety measures by mandating the rework of the wing locker fuel tank filler cap to include a hole for improved venting and to eliminate the risk of fuel siphoning, as outlined in the Cessna SIL No. ME79-26. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service after the specified date of 30 November 1979.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to airworthiness directives that ensure the safety and compliance of aircraft within Australian airspace. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 340/20, is applicable to Cessna 340 Series Aeroplanes, particularly the Model 340A with serial numbers ranging from 340A0201 to 340A0753 that are fitted with wing lock auxiliary fuel tanks. This directive mandates a specific modification to the wing locker fuel tank filler cap to enhance its venting capabilities and prevent the risk of fuel siphoning, a critical safety measure to be implemented within 100 hours of time in service following 30 November 1979. The directive references Cessna SIL No. ME79-26 as the document outlining the required rework. This regulation applies to all relevant aircraft operating under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring a uniform standard of airworthiness across the nation. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the directive itself, but its application may be further detailed or expanded through subordinate instruments as necessary.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically Section 105, addresses the airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models, including the Cessna 340 series aeroplanes. Section 105 mandates that certain modifications be made to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. For instance, AD/CESSNA 340/20 requires that a hole be drilled in the wing locker fuel tank filler cap for Model 340A with serial numbers ranging from 340A0201 to 340A0753, where these models are equipped with wing lock auxiliary fuel tanks (Section 105). This modification aims to improve venting and prevent fuel siphoning, which is critical for safety (Section 105). The obligations imposed by this regulation are quite clear and specific. Owners and operators of the affected Cessna 340A models must ensure that the required modification—drilling a hole in the wing locker fuel tank filler cap—is carried out within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1979 (Section 105). The directive references Cessna SIL No. ME79-26 as the document to be followed for compliance (Section 105). This directive is binding, and failure to comply can have significant ramifications for the safety and continued airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to serious consequences. Under Section 105, non-compliance is not only a breach of the regulations but can also result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy. This could lead to grounding of the aircraft and could result in civil penalties. The exact nature and severity of these penalties may vary depending on the circumstances and the discretion of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), but they are designed to enforce compliance and ensure the safety of all air operations (Section 105). In severe cases, non-compliance could also result in criminal charges, with potential penalties including fines and imprisonment, depending on the gravity of the breach (Section 105).