COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 340 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 340/4
Amdt 3
Lower Wing Skin Rivets 10/91
Applicability: All model 340 with S/No 340-0208 to 340-0555 All model 340A with S/Nos 340A-0001 to 340A-0217.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Cessna SL ME77-6.
Compliance: At each inspection for Maintenance Release issue after 3 October 1991. The compliance date of the previous issue of this Directive was 1 January 1978.
Background: This Directive was raised in response to Cessna SL ME77-6, which introduced repair instructions for use in the event of loose or working lower wing skin/front spar attach rivets. This amendment is raised to ensure ongoing inspection; due to the difficulty in identifying replaced rivets, and likely deterioration of bonding.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, provide a comprehensive framework for the regulation of civil aviation safety, and include specific directives to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of aircraft. Part 39 of these regulations, specifically pertaining to airworthiness directives, addresses issues related to the maintenance and safety of aircraft in operation. One such airworthiness directive, AD/CESSNA 340/4 Amendment 3, targets the Cessna 340 series aeroplanes and specifically addresses the issue of lower wing skin rivets, aiming to ensure continued safety and compliance with maintenance standards. This directive was introduced to address a specific safety concern identified by Cessna Service Letter ME77-6, which highlighted the need for repair instructions in the event of loose or working lower wing skin/front spar attach rivets. The policy objective of this directive is to maintain the structural integrity of the aircraft through regular and rigorous inspection and maintenance procedures.
The directive applies to all model 340 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 340-0208 to 340-0555 and all model 340A aeroplanes with serial numbers from 340A-0001 to 340A-0217. It mandates compliance with the specified maintenance requirements at each inspection conducted for the issuance of a maintenance release after 3 October 1991. This regulatory action underscores the importance of stringent oversight and regular inspections to mitigate potential safety risks associated with aircraft maintenance.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia and specifically PART 39 - 105, pertains to the SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES for the Cessna 340 Series Aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all model 340 with serial numbers ranging from 340-0208 to 340-0555 and all model 340A with serial numbers from 340A-0001 to 340A-0217. The Act mandates that the specified aircraft models must comply with the requirements detailed in Cessna Service Letter ME77-6, particularly concerning the inspection and action related to lower wing skin rivets. The compliance with this directive is mandatory at each inspection for Maintenance Release issue following 3 October 1991. This regulatory directive underscores the importance of regular inspections to ensure airworthiness and safety, considering the potential issues with loose or working lower wing skin/front spar attach rivets, as well as the likelihood of bonding deterioration over time. The scope of this legislation is geographically national, extending across the Commonwealth of Australia, and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Cessna 340 Series Aeroplanes, mandate certain actions for compliance with AD/CESSNA 340/4 Amendment 3. Section 10/91 applies to all model 340 aeroplanes with serial numbers 340-0208 to 340-0555, and all model 340A aeroplanes with serial numbers 340A-0001 to 340A-0217. The requirement is that these aircraft must undergo action in accordance with Cessna Service Letter (SL) ME77-6. Compliance with this directive must occur at each inspection for Maintenance Release issue after 3 October 1991, with the compliance date of the previous issue being 1 January 1978.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Aircraft owners and operators must ensure that the specified models of the Cessna 340 series aeroplanes undergo inspections and any necessary repairs to the lower wing skin/front spar attach rivets. This involves following the repair instructions outlined in Cessna SL ME77-6, which was issued to address issues with loose or working rivets. It is imperative that these inspections are conducted at each Maintenance Release issue following the directive's effective date of 3 October 1991. The directive also requires that any previous compliance dates, such as the 1 January 1978 date for the earlier issue of this directive, be taken into account to ensure continuous adherence to safety standards.
Failing to comply with the AD/CESSNA 340/4 Amendment 3 can lead to serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in enforcement actions being taken against the aircraft operator. The potential penalties for breaching these regulations can include fines and, in severe cases, the grounding of the affected aircraft. The exact penalties depend on the nature and severity of the non-compliance, but they can be significant given the safety implications of operating an aircraft that does not meet airworthiness standards. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to impose these penalties to ensure that all aircraft in operation meet the required safety standards.