AD/CESSNA 340/34 Amdt 1 - Aircraft Flight Manual, Flight into Icing Conditions

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Cessna 340 Series Aeroplanes

 

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE


For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 340/34 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

 

AD/CESSNA 340/34

Amdt 1

Applicability: Model 340A. Requirement:  Revise:


Aircraft Flight Manual, Flight into Icing Conditions


7/2000

  1. the Limitations Section of the aircraft's Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) by incorporating the following:

 

"WARNING"

Severe icing may result from environmental conditions outside of those for which the aircraft is certificated.

 

Flight in freezing rain, freezing drizzle, or mixed icing conditions (super cooled liquid water and ice crystals) may result in:

 

  • ice build-up on protected surfaces and exceed the capability of the ice protection system, or

 

  • ice forming aft of the protected surfaces.

This ice may not be shed using the ice protection systems, and may seriously degrade the performance and controllability of the aircraft.

 

During flight, severe icing conditions that exceed those for which the aircraft is certificated shall be determined by the visual cues described below. If one or more of these visual cues exists, immediately request priority handling from Air Traffic Control to facilitate a route or an altitude change to exit the icing conditions. The cues are:

 

  • unusually extensive ice accumulation on the airframe and windscreen in areas not normally observed to collect ice, and/or

 

  • accumulation of ice on the upper surface of the wing aft of the protected area, and/or

 

  • accumulation of ice on the engine nacelles and propeller spinners farther aft than normally observed

 

 

Since the auto-pilot, when installed and operating, may mask tactile cues that indicate adverse changes in handling characteristics, use of the auto-pilot is prohibited when any of the visual cues specified above exist, or when unusual lateral trim requirements or auto-pilot trim warnings are encountered while the aircraft is in icing conditions.

 

All wing icing inspection lights must be operative prior to flight into known or forecast icing conditions at night. This direction supersedes any relief provided by  any Minimum Equipment List.

 

2.     the Normal Procedures Section of the AFM by incorporating the following:

 

THE FOLLOWING WEATHER CONDITIONS MAY BE CONDUCIVE TO SEVERE IN-FLIGHT ICING:

  • Visible rain at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius ambient air temperature;
  • Droplets that splash or splatter on impact at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius ambient air temperature.

 

PROCEDURES FOR EXITING A SEVERE ICING

ENVIRONMENT: (These procedures are applicable to all flight phases from take-off to landing.)

 

Monitor the ambient air temperature.

 

While severe icing may form at temperatures as cold as -18 degrees Celsius, increased vigilance is warranted at temperatures around freezing when visible moisture is present.

If the visual cues which are specified in the Limitations Section of the AFM for identifying severe icing conditions are observed, accomplish the following:

 

  • Immediately request priority handling from Air Traffic Control to facilitate a route or an altitude change to exit the severe icing conditions in order to avoid extended exposure to flight conditions more severe than those for which the aircraft has been certificated.

 

  • Avoid abrupt and excessive manoeuvring that may exacerbate control difficulties.

 

  • Do not engage the autopilot.
  • If the autopilot had previously been engaged, hold the control wheel firmly and disengage the autopilot.

 

  • If an unusual roll response or un-commanded roll control movement is observed, reduce the angle-of-attack.

 

  • Do not extend flaps when holding in icing conditions. Operation with flaps extended can result in a reduced wing angle-of-attack, with the possibility of ice forming on the upper surface further aft on the wing than normal, possibly aft of the protected area.

 

  • If the flaps are extended, do not retract them until the airframe is clear of ice.
  • Report these weather conditions to Air Traffic Control.

Note 1: Certificate of Registration holders should initiate action to ensure notification of this change is conveyed to any person who may operate their aircraft as pilot in command.

 

Note 2: FAA AD 98-04-28 refers.

 

Certification for accomplishment of this Directive may be carried out:

 

  1. after a copy of this Directive is included in the appropriate sections of the aircraft's AFM; and

 

b.     may be carried out at a minimum, by the holder of a private pilot's licence.

 

 

Compliance: Within 30 days after the Effective date of this Amendment.

 

This Amendment becomes effective on 13 July 2000.

 

Background:  This Directive is issued to minimise the potential hazards associated with operating the aircraft in severe icing conditions by providing more clearly defined procedures and limitations associated with such conditions.

 

Amendment 1 is issued to correct a word processing error in the initial issue.

 

The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 23 March 2000.


 

Bernard Malcolm Hole

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 31 May 2000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 June 2000.

Overview

The Civil Aviation (Airworthiness) Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, provide the framework for ensuring that aircraft operating within the country meet safety standards. This legislation aims to address safety concerns and maintain airworthiness through various regulatory measures. One such measure is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address specific safety issues as they arise. AD/CESSNA 340/34, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority granted by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically targets the potential hazards associated with operating Cessna 340 Series aeroplanes in severe icing conditions. This AD aims to provide more clearly defined procedures and limitations for such conditions to minimise risks. The directive mandates revisions to the aircraft's flight manual to include updated warnings and procedures for flight into icing conditions, ensuring that pilots are well-informed and equipped to handle severe icing situations safely.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 340/34, issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and effective from 13 July 2000, specifically applies to the Model 340A aircraft. The directive mandates revisions to the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM), including the Limitations Section, to incorporate detailed warnings and procedures for operating the aircraft in severe icing conditions. These conditions include visible rain at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius and droplets that splash or splatter on impact at similar temperatures. The AD is applicable to all flight phases and requires that the AFM be updated to include specific visual cues for identifying severe icing, such as extensive ice accumulation on the airframe and windscreen, ice on the upper surface of the wing aft of the protected area, and ice on engine nacelles and propeller spinners farther aft than usual. In the event of such cues, the AFM mandates immediate action to request priority handling from Air Traffic Control for a route or altitude change to exit the icing conditions. The AD also prohibits the use of the autopilot during severe icing conditions and mandates that all wing icing inspection lights be operational before flight in known or forecast icing conditions at night. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within 30 days of the directive's effective date.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 340/34, issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), mandate specific revisions to the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) of Model 340A aircraft. Section (a) of the AD requires that the AFM's Limitations Section be updated to include a warning about the dangers of severe icing, particularly when flying in conditions outside those for which the aircraft is certificated. It details the visual cues that may indicate severe icing and advises pilots to request priority handling from Air Traffic Control to avoid such conditions. Furthermore, the use of the autopilot is prohibited when certain visual cues are observed or when unusual lateral trim requirements or autopilot trim warnings occur during icing conditions. The AD also mandates that all wing icing inspection lights must be operational before flying into known or forecast icing conditions at night, overriding any relief provided by a Minimum Equipment List. The Normal Procedures Section of the AFM must also be revised to include information on weather conditions that may lead to severe in-flight icing, as well as procedures for exiting a severe icing environment. This includes monitoring ambient air temperature, requesting priority handling to exit severe icing conditions, avoiding abrupt and excessive manoeuvring, and refraining from engaging or disengaging the autopilot under certain conditions. Additionally, the AD requires that pilots avoid extending flaps in icing conditions and report these conditions to Air Traffic Control. Certificate of Registration holders must ensure that any person operating their aircraft as pilot in command is notified of these changes. The AD imposes obligations on the operators of Model 340A aircraft to update their AFMs as per the specified requirements within 30 days of the AD's effective date. Compliance with these updates is mandatory, and certification of the changes can be carried out by the holder of a private pilot’s licence. Failure to comply with the AD may result in the aircraft being considered non-airworthy, leading to potential operational restrictions or grounding of the aircraft. Offences and penalties for non-compliance with this AD are not explicitly stated within the text of the AD itself. However, non-compliance with ADs generally may lead to civil or criminal consequences under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the CAR 1998. Such consequences may include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the breach and any associated risks to aviation safety. The exact penalties would be determined in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the CAR 1998, which may provide for maximum penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives.

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