AD/CESSNA 400/17 - Engine Exhaust System Manifold Tube Assembly - Life Limitation

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, address safety and operational standards for civil aviation in the country. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, outlines critical safety directives for various aircraft models, including the Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes. This legislation was introduced to ensure that aircraft maintain airworthiness and comply with safety standards, thus mitigating risks associated with aviation operations. The policy objective is to mandate the retirement of specific engine exhaust manifold tube assemblies for the 401 and 402 series of Cessna aeroplanes to prevent potential failures that could compromise flight safety. Compliance with these directives is mandatory to ensure that the aircraft remain safe for operation within Australian airspace.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, applies to all aircraft operators and owners of Cessna 401 and 402 series aeroplanes within Australia's jurisdiction. This regulation mandates compliance with AD/CESSNA 400/17, which addresses the engine exhaust system manifold tube assembly life limitation. This directive applies to certain parts numbers, specifically 0850712-5; 0850712-6; 0850712-32 and 0850712-33, requiring their retirement from service under specified conditions based on the total time in service of the assemblies. For manifold tubes that had accumulated more than 1700 hours of service by 29 May 1971, retirement must occur within 100 hours of that date. For those with less than 1700 hours of service by that date, retirement must happen before they reach 1800 hours of service. The regulation does not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions, and its application is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which may issue further guidance or amendments through subordinate instruments as necessary.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, contain critical provisions governing the maintenance and operation of certain aircraft. A notable directive, AD/CESSNA 400/17, pertains to the engine exhaust system manifold tube assemblies for Cessna 400 series aeroplanes (Part 39 - 105). This directive, numbered 4/70, establishes the applicability and requirements for the retirement of specific manifold tube assemblies in the Cessna 401 and 402 series aeroplanes. The directive mandates that exhaust manifold tube assemblies with certain part numbers (0850712-5; 0850712-6; 0850712-32 and 0850712-33) must be retired from service under specific conditions. For assemblies that had accumulated more than 1700 hours of service time by 29 May 1971, they must be retired within 100 hours of service time thereafter (Part 39 - 105, 4/70). Conversely, for those assemblies with less than 1700 hours of service time by that date, they must be retired before reaching 1800 hours of total service time (Part 39 - 105, 4/70). Compliance with these directives involves several obligations for the operators and maintainers of the Cessna 400 series aeroplanes. They are required to monitor the service hours of the specified manifold tube assemblies diligently and ensure that they are retired from service within the stipulated timeframes. This includes maintaining accurate records of the service hours and the dates of retirement, which must be readily available for inspection by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) (Part 39 - 105, 4/70). Failure to comply with these directives can result in significant legal consequences. Operators and maintainers who do not adhere to the specified retirement schedules may face penalties, including fines and potential criminal charges. The severity of these penalties can vary based on the extent of the non-compliance and the impact on aviation safety. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, penalties for such breaches can be substantial, reflecting the critical nature of ensuring the airworthiness and safety of aircraft (Part 39 - 105, 4/70).