AD/CESSNA 400/11 Amdt 2 - Fuel System-Placards

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, includes Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. The AD/CESSNA 400/11 Amendment 2, introduced in 1992, addresses specific operational safety concerns associated with the Cessna 400 Series aeroplanes by mandating the placement of critical placards to inform pilots of operational limitations. The policy objective is to enhance flight safety by clearly communicating essential operational parameters directly to the pilot, thereby reducing the risk of operational errors due to misunderstanding or oversight. Enacted by the Australian Government, this amendment is designed to mitigate risks associated with the Cessna 400 Series aeroplanes by enforcing placard requirements that highlight prohibitions on operating with less than ten gallons of fuel in each main tank, the necessity to maintain power within specified green arcs during descent, and a maximum speed limit with certain flap settings. These measures are intended to ensure compliance with safety standards and enhance overall aviation safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which governs the maintenance and operation of aircraft within Australia. This legislative instrument applies to all Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes, including models 401, 401A, 402, 402A, 411, 411A, 421, and 421A, excluding those incorporating Cessna SL ME69-16. The regulations mandate the placement of specific placards in full view of the pilot to ensure safe operational practices. The requirement for placards concerns fuel system placards that must be visible to the pilot, including a prohibition on operating with less than ten gallons of fuel in each main tank, a requirement to maintain power within green arcs during descent, and a limitation on maximum speed with 15 degrees to full flap. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved forthwith, with certain modifications needing to be completed prior to 30 June 1993. The operators are permitted to install and certify the placards themselves, provided they use letters of at least eight inches in height. Additionally, the placards may be removed if the aircraft is upgraded to incorporate Cessna SL ME69-16, which involves the installation of additional booster pumps. This directive aligns with the Federal Aviation Administration’s AD 69-14-01, amendment 39-793.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes provisions for certain Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes. This particular amendment, AD/CESSNA 400/11 Amendment 2, addresses fuel system placards for various models of the Cessna 400 series, excluding those that incorporate the Cessna SL ME69-16. Under this directive, there are specific placarding requirements designed to ensure safe operational practices. Section 1(a) mandates that a placard reading “Operation With Less Than Ten (10) Gallons of Fuel in Each Main Tank is Prohibited” must be visibly placed near the main fuel quantity indicator. Section 1(b) requires a placard stating “Maintain Power Within Green Arcs During Descent” to be positioned near the manifold pressure gauge. Additionally, Section 1(c) stipulates that a placard reading “Maximum Speed with 15 Degrees to Full Flap Shall Not Exceed 126Kts” must be visible near the airspeed indicator. These placards are intended to enhance flight safety by clearly communicating critical operational limits to the pilot. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators of the applicable Cessna models must ensure that the required placards are installed in the designated locations. The operator may perform and certify the installation of these placards, but they must use letters of a minimum height of eight inches. This ensures that the placards are easily readable and noticeable during flight. Furthermore, operators must comply with the placarding requirements immediately unless they have already modified their main fuel tanks in accordance with Cessna SL ME69-16. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this directive can lead to serious consequences. Specifically, non-compliance with Requirement 1(a) to (c) must be addressed forthwith, and the modifications must be completed prior to 30 June 1993. Any breach of these obligations could potentially result in regulatory enforcement actions, including fines and other penalties as prescribed by the Civil Aviation Regulations. The directive references FAA AD 69-14-01 Amendment 39-793, indicating the importance of adhering to these safety measures to ensure compliance with both Australian and international aviation safety standards.