AD/CESSNA 340/21 Amdt 2 - Horizontal Stabiliser and Elevators - Inspection and Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the Commonwealth of Australia's commitment to ensuring the safety and integrity of civil aviation, introduced a schedule of airworthiness directives to address specific safety concerns identified in certain aircraft models. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 340/21, was enacted to target the integrity issues in the horizontal stabiliser and elevators of Cessna 340 series aeroplanes. The objective of this directive is to ensure the continued safety of these aircraft by mandating specific inspections and, where necessary, replacements of critical components to prevent structural failures. The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and applies to all Cessna 340 and 340A models. This directive aims to mitigate the risk of structural failure in the elevator balance weight support structure and associated components of the horizontal stabiliser, following reports of compromised integrity in these parts. It requires detailed visual inspections of various components for cracks and loose rivets, with specific attention to different serial number ranges for Model 340 and 340A aircraft. The directive also stipulates that any defective parts must be replaced, with certain inspections to be completed within specified time intervals. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for maintaining airworthiness, and it underscores the importance of rigorous maintenance protocols to ensure the safety of flight operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, apply to all Cessna 340 and 340A series aeroplanes in Australia, ensuring their compliance with safety standards. Specifically, Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 340/21 Amendment 2 mandates a comprehensive inspection and, where necessary, replacement of the horizontal stabilizers and elevators to address concerns regarding the integrity of the elevator balance weight support structure. This requirement applies to all models of the Cessna 340 and 340A series aeroplanes. The directive outlines detailed inspection procedures, including the removal and visual inspection of elevator tip covers and balance weights, as well as specific components of the horizontal stabiliser, for signs of looseness, cracks, or loose rivets. Furthermore, it mandates the replacement of any defective parts before further flight and requires the replacement of the horizontal stabilizers and elevators in accordance with specified service kit instructions before 1 January 1982. Compliance with these directives is mandatory for maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft, and inspections can be performed by the pilot in command or a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer, with appropriate certification where required.

Key Provisions

The primary sections of this legislative instrument, specifically AD/CESSNA 340/21 Amendment 2, pertain to the inspection and replacement of the horizontal stabiliser and elevators of Cessna 340 series aeroplanes. Section 1 outlines the specific inspection requirements for ensuring the integrity of the elevator balance weight support structure and specified components of the horizontal stabiliser. This includes visually inspecting the elevator balance weights for looseness and checking various parts for cracks or loose rivets. Section 2 details the replacement of the horizontal stabilisers and elevators in accordance with specified Cessna Service Kit Instructions. These inspections and replacements must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 10 hours of time in service until modifications are made, with specific deadlines set for replacement. The obligations imposed by this legislation are stringent and clear. Operators of Cessna 340 series aeroplanes must ensure that the specified inspections and replacements are performed on the horizontal stabiliser and elevators. For instance, visual inspections of the elevator balance weights, support structure, and other specified parts must be conducted at regular intervals. Additionally, any defective parts identified during the inspection must be replaced before further flight. These tasks can be performed by the pilot in command or a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, with certification required as per the Civil Aviation Regulations. Breaching the requirements of this directive can result in significant civil or criminal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the legislative instrument, non-compliance with airworthiness directives is generally subject to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Such actions may include fines, enforcement notices, and potential grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are completed. Operators must ensure strict adherence to these regulations to maintain the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft.