AD/CESSNA 400/18 - Crew Door - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative instrument F2006B08305, addresses the problem of ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft, particularly focusing on the Cessna 400 series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument was enacted to fill a gap in maintaining safety standards for aircraft with specific configurations, such as the optional crew door on model 402A. The policy objective is to ensure that all aircraft meet certain safety standards to protect the travelling public and maintain the integrity of civil aviation in Australia. The regulations are overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and were introduced by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. Compliance with these regulations is mandatory, requiring specific modifications to the crew door within a stipulated timeframe after the legislative instrument's effective date.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, apply to all entities and individuals operating Cessna 402A aircraft equipped with an optional crew door, ensuring these aircraft meet the stipulated safety standards. This regulation mandates a modification to the crew door, as detailed in AD/CESSNA 400/18, which was issued on 5 June 1970. The modification must be completed within 25 hours of the aircraft's time in service following the date of the directive. The regulation is enforceable across the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with no exclusions or exemptions specified in the primary legislation. Subordinate instruments may provide further details or clarification on the implementation and compliance of this directive.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) under Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (ADs). Specifically, AD/CESSNA 400/18 pertains to Cessna 400 Series aeroplanes, detailing the requirement for modifications to the crew door (s. 5/70). This directive applies to all model 402A aircraft equipped with an optional crew door. Compliance with these directives is mandated by the Cessna Service Letter (SL) No. ME70-11, which must be achieved within 25 hours of time in service after the directive's issuance on 5 June 1970. Entities governed by the Civil Aviation Regulations must adhere to the specified modifications outlined in the ADs. For AD/CESSNA 400/18, operators of model 402A aircraft with optional crew doors are required to implement the modifications detailed in the referenced Cessna Service Letter within the stipulated timeframe. This includes ensuring that all maintenance and modification work is performed by qualified personnel and that any affected aircraft are grounded until the modifications are completed and verified. Breach of the Civil Aviation Regulations, including failure to comply with an AD, can result in severe consequences. Operators who do not adhere to the requirements may face enforcement actions by CASA. Potential outcomes include fines, suspension of operating certificates, and in severe cases, criminal charges. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth), the maximum penalties for contravening airworthiness directives can be significant. For corporate entities, fines can reach up to $1,215,000, and for individuals, fines can reach up to $243,000, depending on the severity and circumstances of the breach. These stringent measures underscore the importance of compliance to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating under Australian jurisdiction.