COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 400/22 Rudder Pedal Torque Tube - Modification 5/71
Applicability: All models with S/Nos. as listed in requirement document. Document: Cessna SL ME71-1.
Compliance: 1. For aircraft fitted with internal rudder gust lock - within 100 hours time in service after 30 June 1971.
2. For aircraft not fitted with internal rudder gust lock -
(a) Within 100 hours time in service after 30 June 1971 for aircraft in excess of 1000 hours time in service as at 30 June 1971.
(b) Before exceeding 1100 hours time in service for aircraft with less than 1000 hours time in service.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, were enacted to provide a comprehensive framework for the regulation of civil aviation in Australia. One of the key components of this regulatory framework is Part 39, which pertains to the airworthiness of aircraft and the issuance of airworthiness directives. The specific legislative instrument F2006B08310, part of the Civil Aviation Regulations, addresses the safety of Cessna 400 series aeroplanes through the issuance of AD/CESSNA 400/22 concerning the rudder pedal torque tube modification. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns related to the integrity of the rudder pedal torque tube in specific Cessna 400 series models. The objective of this legislation, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, is to ensure the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft and to mitigate risks associated with potential structural failures in the rudder pedal torque tube. The policy objective is to enhance the safety and reliability of civil aviation operations by mandating timely and specific modifications to aircraft components.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, mandates specific airworthiness directives for certain aircraft to ensure safety standards are upheld. The directive AD/CESSNA 400/22 specifically pertains to Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the rudder pedal torque tube modification. This directive applies to all models of Cessna 400 Series aeroplanes that have serial numbers listed in the requirement document, specifically Cessna SL ME71-1. The compliance requirements necessitate that aircraft fitted with internal rudder gust locks must adhere to the directive within 100 hours of time in service after 30 June 1971. For aircraft not equipped with internal rudder gust locks, compliance is required within 100 hours of time in service after 30 June 1971 if the aircraft has surpassed 1000 hours of time in service as at 30 June 1971; otherwise, compliance must be achieved before the aircraft exceeds 1100 hours of time in service. This regulation underscores CASA's commitment to maintaining stringent safety standards across the aviation industry.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes detailed provisions concerning airworthiness directives (ADs) for certain aircraft models, such as the Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes. The focus of AD/CESSNA 400/22 is on the modification of the rudder pedal torque tube (paragraph 5/71). This directive applies to all models with specific serial numbers as listed in the requirement document (Cessna SL ME71-1). The key requirement is the modification of the rudder pedal torque tube for aircraft equipped with an internal rudder gust lock within 100 hours of time in service after 30 June 1971 (section 1). For aircraft not fitted with an internal rudder gust lock, the compliance requirements are more stringent: the modification must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 30 June 1971 if the aircraft has more than 1000 hours of time in service as of that date (section 2(a)). If the aircraft has fewer than 1000 hours of time in service as of 30 June 1971, the modification must be completed before the aircraft exceeds 1100 hours of time in service (section 2(b)).
The obligations under this directive are clear for operators and maintenance personnel. Operators must ensure that the required modifications to the rudder pedal torque tube are performed by authorised personnel within the specified timeframes. Maintenance personnel are required to verify that the modifications are carried out correctly and to maintain records of the modifications as per the Civil Aviation Regulations. Additionally, operators must ensure that the aircraft do not exceed the specified time in service without completing the necessary modifications, which could lead to the aircraft being grounded.
Failure to comply with the AD/CESSNA 400/22 can result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can take enforcement action against non-compliance, including issuing fines, grounding the aircraft, or even prosecuting the operators or maintenance personnel involved. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, the maximum penalties for non-compliance with ADs can be substantial, including fines of up to $330,000 for corporations and $66,000 for individuals, depending on the severity and intent of the non-compliance. Furthermore, repeated or egregious non-compliance can lead to more severe penalties, including imprisonment. Therefore, it is crucial for operators and maintenance personnel to adhere strictly to the requirements outlined in AD/CESSNA 400/22 to avoid these potential consequences.