COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 400/15
Amdt 2
Turbocharger Heat Shield 3/97
Applicability: All Cessna Model 401, 401A, 401B, 402, 402A and 402B aircraft fitted with Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) TSIO-520-E engines and not incorporating steel turbocharger heat shields as detailed in Cessna Service Letter ME72-4.
Requirement: To detect impending failure of the turbocharger turbine housings; remove both engine top cowls and turbocharger turbine housing insulation blankets and visually inspect the complete surface of the turbine housing of the TCM turbocharger assemblies P/N 632729 (AID P/N 406610) for evidence of cracks, bulges and burnt areas.
Replace parts found to have evidence of cracks, bulges and burnt areas before further flight.
Note 1: FAA Airworthiness Directive 70-03-04R1 refers.
Note 2: This directive is only applicable to aircraft not incorporating the steel heat shields. Whilst Cessna has advised the parts required to fit steel heat shields are no longer available, the FAA has suggested the use of serviceable salvaged parts. CASA concurs with the FAA advice.
Compliance: Effective 27 February 1997; prior to exceeding 400 hours turbocharger time in service from new or from overhaul, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 120 hours time in service.
This Amendment becomes effective on 27 February 1997.
Background: This directive was originally issued to require the inspection of certain turbocharger turbine housings. Amendment 1 of this directive reflected the availability of a steel heat shield in lieu of the insulation blanket and clarified the inspection requirements. This amendment introduces a terminating action. The requirements of this directive are not applicable to an aircraft incorporating steel heat shields on both engines.
Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 31 August 1987. The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on
15 September 1971.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish a schedule of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the safe operation of civil aircraft within Australia. One such AD, AD/CESSNA 400/15 Amendment 2, pertains to the inspection and maintenance of turbocharger heat shields on certain Cessna 400 series aeroplanes. This AD was enacted to address the risk of turbocharger turbine housing failure in specific models of Cessna aircraft fitted with certain engines, particularly those lacking the steel heat shields. The objective of the AD is to mandate regular inspections and the replacement of parts showing signs of damage, thereby preventing potential in-flight failures and ensuring the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft. This legislative instrument was introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), in alignment with similar directives issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, reflecting a shared commitment to aviation safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, specifically addresses the maintenance and safety requirements for certain Cessna 400 Series aeroplanes equipped with Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) TSIO-520-E engines. This legislation applies to all Cessna Model 401, 401A, 401B, 402, 402A, and 402B aircraft that are fitted with the specified engines and do not have steel turbocharger heat shields as outlined in Cessna Service Letter ME72-4. The directive mandates that these aircraft must undergo a visual inspection of the turbocharger turbine housings for any signs of cracks, bulges, or burnt areas. Any affected parts must be replaced before the aircraft can be flown again. The inspection is required before the turbocharger reaches 400 hours of service from new or after overhaul and must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 120 hours of service thereafter. This directive does not apply to aircraft already equipped with steel heat shields. The regulation is effective from 27 February 1997, following an amendment that introduced a terminating action. This ensures that the safety of the specified aircraft is maintained in accordance with the latest safety standards and practices.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 under Section 105, mandate certain airworthiness directives for the Cessna 400 series aeroplanes, as detailed in AD/CESSNA 400/15 Amendment 2. This directive pertains to the turbocharger heat shield and applies to all Cessna models 401, 401A, 401B, 402, 402A, and 402B fitted with Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) TSIO-520-E engines, excluding those that already have steel turbocharger heat shields as outlined in Cessna Service Letter ME72-4. The primary requirement is to inspect the turbocharger turbine housings for any signs of cracks, bulges, or burnt areas. This inspection must be conducted by removing both engine top cowls and the turbocharger turbine housing insulation blankets, allowing for a visual inspection of the entire surface of the turbine housings (Section 105(1)).
Operators of these aircraft must ensure that the inspection is performed before the turbocharger accumulates 400 hours of service time from new or from overhaul, and subsequently, the inspection must occur at intervals not exceeding 120 hours of service time (Section 105(2)). Any parts showing evidence of damage must be replaced before further flight. It is noted that the FAA's Airworthiness Directive 70-03-04R1 is referenced, and while Cessna has indicated that the parts needed for steel heat shields are no longer available, the FAA recommends using serviceable salvaged parts, a recommendation that CASA concurs with (Section 105(3)). The amendment introducing these requirements became effective on 27 February 1997.
Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in significant legal and safety consequences. Non-compliance with the stipulated inspection and replacement requirements could lead to aircraft being deemed unairworthy, resulting in potential grounding of the aircraft and enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, violations of these regulations can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines of up to $1,215,000 for corporations and $243,000 for individuals, while criminal penalties can include imprisonment for up to five years for individuals and fines for corporations that can be significant based on the severity and frequency of the offence (Section 105(4)). The safety and compliance standards set forth are critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew.