COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 340 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 340/23 Elevator Balance Weight - Inspection 3/82
Applicability: All models 340 and 340A with S/No. referenced in Cessna SIL ME81-35 or with S/Nos. referenced in subsequent issues or revisions of that SIL.
Document: Cessna SIL No. ME81-35.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 March 1982.
Background: Manufacturer’s service information indicates that aircraft which have installed improved stabilisers and elevators may have incorrectly attached or loose elevator balance weights.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, was enacted to provide comprehensive safety standards for civil aviation within Australia. One significant legislative instrument under this Act is the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which addresses particular safety concerns for various aircraft models. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 340/23, was introduced to tackle an identified issue with the Cessna 340 series aeroplanes, where the elevator balance weights may be incorrectly attached or loose. This problem was identified by the manufacturer's service information and subsequent service letters. The directive applies to all models 340 and 340A with specific serial numbers and mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1982, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft. The objective of this directive is to mitigate the risk associated with improperly attached or loose elevator balance weights, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), an entity established under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The authority's role is to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia through the implementation of safety regulations and directives. AD/CESSNA 340/23 is one such directive aimed at addressing a specific safety issue identified by the manufacturer. The policy objective is to ensure that all affected aircraft are inspected and any necessary corrective actions are taken to maintain the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the general public from potential hazards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as outlined in Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, specifically addresses the elevator balance weight inspection for Cessna 340 Series aeroplanes. This directive applies to all models of Cessna 340 and 340A aircraft with serial numbers that are referenced in Cessna Service Information Letter (SIL) ME81-35, or in any subsequent issues or revisions of that SIL. The primary concern addressed by this directive is the potential for incorrectly attached or loose elevator balance weights in aircraft that have installed improved stabilisers and elevators. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, requiring that an inspection be conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1982. This regulation is enacted at the Commonwealth level, applying across all states and territories within Australia, ensuring a uniform approach to the maintenance and safety standards of the specified aircraft models. The directive does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond what is defined in the referenced SILs, and any further details or extensions to its application are to be found in the subordinate instruments issued by CASA.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39, Section 105, mandate that all Cessna 340 and 340A series aeroplanes with serial numbers specified in Cessna SIL ME81-35, or referenced in subsequent issues or revisions of that SIL, must undergo an inspection of the elevator balance weight (Section 3/82). This inspection requirement is intended to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft by addressing potential issues with the attachment of elevator balance weights. The compliance period for these inspections is set within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1982. This means that affected aircraft must have their elevator balance weights inspected within this timeframe to ensure they meet the required safety standards.
The obligations imposed by this legislation require the operators and owners of the specified Cessna 340 and 340A models to ensure that the elevator balance weight inspections are carried out in accordance with the specified schedule and documented procedures. This involves maintaining records of the inspections and any corrective actions taken to ensure the weights are correctly attached and secured. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) expects these inspections to be conducted by appropriately certified personnel and that all findings are reported to CASA as required by the regulations.
Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in the AD/CESSNA 340/23 can result in significant consequences. According to the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions by CASA, including the issuance of fines and potential prosecution. The maximum penalties for breaches can include substantial fines for individuals and corporate entities, reflecting the seriousness of ensuring aircraft safety. Additionally, CASA can take measures such as grounding non-compliant aircraft until the necessary inspections and corrective actions are completed, thereby ensuring that the aircraft are operated safely and in compliance with the regulations.