AD/CESSNA 340/26 Amdt 2 - Crossfeed Fuel Line

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the airworthiness directives for various aircraft, including the Cessna 340 Series Aeroplanes. One such directive is AD/CESSNA 340/26 Amendment 2, which was enacted to address a safety issue identified in the crossfeed fuel lines of certain Cessna 340 and 340A models. This amendment was introduced to rectify a problem whereby chafing of the crossfeed fuel lines led to fuel leaks, posing a significant fire hazard. The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure compliance with safety standards, effectively superseding the earlier AD/CESSNA 340/22. The policy objective behind this directive is to enhance the safety of air travel by mitigating the risks associated with fuel leaks in specified aircraft models.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Cessna 340 Series Aeroplanes, specifically targeting models 340 and 340A with serial numbers ranging from 340-0001 through 340A 1817. This directive applies to these particular aircraft models within the specified serial number range, mandating compliance with the requirements outlined in Cessna Service Bulletin No MEB 87-7 Revision 1 to rectify fuel line chafing and prevent potential fire hazards. The AD references the cancellation of an earlier directive, AD/CESSNA 340/22, which was superseded by this amendment. The directive is effective from 24 January 1991 and applies until the issuance of the next Maintenance Release. Compliance with the AD ensures that aircraft certified as modified in accordance with Rex Aviation Tech. Memo No TM-26/A meet the requirements, aligning with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 88-03-07 Amdt 39-5841. The directive extends its jurisdiction across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring uniform safety standards are met by relevant entities operating within the specified aircraft models.

Key Provisions

The main sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, pertaining to the Cessna 340 Series Aeroplanes, specifically the AD/CESSNA 340/26 Amendment 2, outline the requirements and actions that must be taken to address the crossfeed fuel line issue. Section 19 of the AD/CESSNA 340/26 mandates that the modification must be carried out in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin No MEB 87-7 Revision 1. This directive applies to models 340 and 340A with specific serial numbers, namely from 340-0001 through 340A 1817. Additionally, it references Rex Aviation Tech. Memo No TM-26/A and FAA AD 88-03-07 Amendment 39-5841. The requirement became effective on 24 January 1991 and must be completed before the next Maintenance Release is issued. The obligations imposed by this directive require the affected parties to ensure that the crossfeed fuel lines are modified to meet the specifications detailed in the referenced documents. Specifically, this involves ensuring there is proper clearance between the crossfeed fuel lines and the firewall stiffener. Aircraft that have been certified as being modified according to Rex Aviation Tech. Memo No TM-26/A are considered to be in compliance with this directive. This requirement is crucial to eliminate the potential fire hazard caused by fuel leaks due to chafing of the crossfeed fuel lines. The directive also notes the cancellation of the previous AD/CESSNA 340/22, which had overlapping requirements and is now superseded by this directive. Failure to comply with the AD/CESSNA 340/26 Amendment 2 may lead to severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces this directive to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft. Non-compliance could potentially result in the aircraft being grounded until the necessary modifications are made. The directive underscores the importance of adhering to the specified safety measures to prevent fuel leaks and the associated fire hazards. The regulatory framework aims to ensure that all stakeholders, including aircraft operators and maintenance personnel, are aware of and fulfill their obligations to maintain the safety standards required by the regulations.