COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 400/101
Amdt 1
Seat Back Reinforcing Strap 7/94
Applicability: Aeroplanes in the Serial Number ranges:
401B0101 to 401B0221
402B0354 to 402C1020
414-0151 to 414A1212
421B0101 to 421C1807
425-0002 to 425-0236
Requirement: Action in accordance with Cessna MEB 89-3 Rev 1 and CQB 90-7 as applicable.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 1 April 1993 for all applicable models, except the model 425 which is, within 100 hours time in service after 23 June 1994.
Background: In Australia there is a history of seat back failure in the aircraft referred to in the MEB. The most recent being a total failure in IMC conditions, which in normal single pilot operation would have resulted in total loss of control near the ground.
Amendment 1 changes the Applicability to include the model 425 which has similar seats. It also includes Revision 1 to the MEB which requires no further work.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, include specific directives for maintaining the airworthiness of various aircraft types, as detailed in Part 39 - 105. One such directive is AD/CESSNA 400/101 Amendment 1, which was introduced in 1994 to address the problem of seat back failures in Cessna 400 series aeroplanes. This problem manifested in several incidents, including a total seat back failure in instrument meteorological conditions, which posed significant risks, particularly in single-pilot operations. The directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after specific dates, with different cut-off dates for various models, to ensure the installation of seat back reinforcing straps as specified in relevant Cessna Maintenance Engineering Bulletins and Quality Bulletins. The policy objective is to enhance the safety of air travel by preventing seat back failures that could lead to loss of control of the aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompasses a legislative instrument designed to address the safety of the Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes. This regulation applies to aeroplanes with serial numbers within specified ranges, ensuring compliance with airworthiness directives to enhance flight safety. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this regulation is national, as it pertains to all aircraft registered and operating within Australia, thereby extending to all Commonwealth, state, and territory airspace. The regulation mandates specific actions to be taken, in accordance with Cessna Maintenance Engineering Bulletin 89-3 Revision 1 and Cessna Quality Bulletin 90-7, to reinforce seat backs and mitigate the risk of seat back failure, a concern that has been historically documented in these aircraft models. Compliance is required within 100 hours of time in service after certain dates, varying slightly between models, with an exception for the model 425, which has a compliance deadline of 100 hours after 23 June 1994. This regulation does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, indicating its broad application to the specified aircraft models within its jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, sets forth the Airworthiness Directives (AD) concerning Cessna 400 Series aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 400/101 Amendment 1, pertains to the seat back reinforcing strap. This directive applies to certain serial number ranges of the Cessna 400 Series aeroplanes (sections 401B0101 to 401B0221, 402B0354 to 402C1020, 414-0151 to 414A1212, 421B0101 to 421C1807, and 425-0002 to 425-0236). The directive mandates that the action must be taken in accordance with the Cessna Maintenance Engineering Bulletin (MEB) 89-3 Revision 1 and Cessna Quality Bulletin (CQB) 90-7 as applicable.
The AD requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 1 April 1993 for all applicable models, with the exception of the model 425, which must comply within 100 hours of time in service after 23 June 1994. The directive stems from a history of seat back failures in the affected aircraft, with the most recent incident being a total failure in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), posing a significant risk of total loss of control near the ground in normal single-pilot operations. Amendment 1 to the AD extends its applicability to include the model 425, which shares similar seating issues, and incorporates Revision 1 to the MEB, which requires no further work.
The obligations imposed by this directive require operators and owners of the specified Cessna 400 Series aeroplanes to ensure that the seat back reinforcing strap is installed or modified as per the referenced bulletins. This includes conducting necessary inspections and maintenance to meet the compliance timeline. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in serious safety implications, as highlighted by the historical incidents of seat back failures.
In terms of consequences for non-compliance, breaches of these ADs can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). While the specific civil or criminal penalties are not detailed in the text, CASA has the authority to impose fines and take other regulatory actions against non-compliant operators. The seriousness of the potential safety issues involved suggests that penalties could be significant, reflecting the importance of adhering to these airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of air travel.