AD/CESSNA 400/39 Amdt 3 - Lower Wing Skin Rivets

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, include a specific directive under Part 39 - 105 concerning the airworthiness of Cessna 400 series aeroplanes, particularly addressing the lower wing skin rivets. Enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, this directive was introduced to address safety concerns regarding the integrity of lower wing skin rivets on specified models of Cessna 400 series aeroplanes, ensuring that these components maintain their structural integrity and thus contribute to the overall safety of air travel. The policy objective behind this legislation is to mandate regular inspections and adherence to manufacturer-provided repair instructions to prevent potential failures that could compromise flight safety. This legislative instrument aims to enforce rigorous compliance at each inspection for maintenance release, following the amendment date of 3 October 1991. The requirement for ongoing inspection stems from the difficulty in identifying replaced rivets and the potential for bonding deterioration, which could lead to structural failures. By specifying these compliance measures, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 work towards maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation, ensuring that all aircraft within the specified series adhere to stringent maintenance protocols.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the Airworthiness Directives for aircraft operations within Australia, including the requirement for compliance with manufacturer-specific service bulletins. This legislative instrument applies to all Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes, namely model 402B with serial numbers ranging from 402B0361 to 402B1212, model 414 with serial numbers from 414-0391 to 414-0912, and model 421 with serial numbers from 421B-0397 to 421B-0970. The directive mandates that these aircraft must comply with Cessna Service Letter ME77-6 concerning lower wing skin rivets, and such compliance must be demonstrated at each inspection for Maintenance Release following 3 October 1991. This directive ensures ongoing safety measures by addressing potential issues such as loose or working rivets, reflecting the importance of maintaining structural integrity in aviation safety. The regulation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, governing all entities involved in the operation and maintenance of the specified aircraft models.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, involve the schedule of airworthiness directives for Cessna 400 Series aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 400/39 Amendment 3, pertains to the lower wing skin rivets of certain Cessna models. The directive applies to all model 402B aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 402B0361 to 402B1212, all model 414 aircraft with serial numbers from 414-0391 to 414-0912, and all model 421 aircraft with serial numbers from 421B-0397 to 421B-0970 (section 1). The requirement outlined in this directive is that corrective action must be taken in accordance with Cessna Service Letter ME77-6, which provides repair instructions for loose or working lower wing skin/front spar attach rivets (section 1). Compliance with this directive is mandatory at each inspection for maintenance release issued after 3 October 1991 (section 1). The obligations imposed by this directive on the parties governed, such as aircraft operators and maintenance organisations, include ensuring that the specified aircraft models are inspected and repaired according to the instructions provided in Cessna Service Letter ME77-6. This means that during each inspection for maintenance release, these entities must verify that the lower wing skin rivets are secure and not working, and perform any necessary repairs to maintain airworthiness standards (section 1). This ongoing inspection requirement is due to the difficulty in identifying replaced rivets and the potential for deterioration of bonding over time (section 1). Breaching the requirements set out in this airworthiness directive may result in serious safety implications for the aircraft and its passengers. While the specific civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the directive itself, the overarching Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide a framework under which enforcement actions can be taken. Penalties can include fines, suspension or revocation of certificates, and potential criminal charges for individuals found guilty of non-compliance, depending on the severity and impact of the breach (section 1). The overarching objective is to ensure that all affected aircraft remain airworthy and compliant with safety standards to protect public safety in aviation.