COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 400/4 Engine Support Beam - Modification 11/67
Applicability: All model 411 and 411A with S/Nos. up to 411-0254 fitted with unfeathering accumulators.
Document: Cessna SL No. 67-34.
Compliance: Within 50 hours time in service after 30 November 1967.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. The legislation is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and includes a schedule of airworthiness directives, such as the one pertaining to Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes. Specifically, AD/CESSNA 400/4 addresses the modification of the engine support beam for model 411 and 411A aeroplanes with serial numbers up to 411-0254 that are fitted with unfeathering accumulators. This directive was introduced to address the specific safety concern of ensuring the integrity of the engine support beam over time. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be completed within 50 hours of time in service after 30 November 1967, as outlined in Cessna Service Letter No. 67-34. The overarching policy objective is to maintain the highest safety standards in the operation of civil aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically mandate Airworthiness Directives that apply to all model 411 and 411A Cessna 400 series aeroplanes with serial numbers up to 411-0254, provided they are fitted with unfeathering accumulators. These directives are essential for ensuring the safety and airworthiness of these specific aircraft types. Compliance with these regulations is mandatory, with a requirement to adhere to the modifications detailed in Cessna Service Letter No. 67-34 within 50 hours of time in service after 30 November 1967. The directive applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby affecting operators, maintenance personnel, and other relevant entities within the aviation industry. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in the provided text, indicating that all applicable aircraft must meet these standards. The application of these regulations is further extended and potentially restricted through subordinate instruments, which may provide additional details or specific conditions of compliance.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, mandate that certain Cessna 400 series aeroplanes undergo modifications to their engine support beam. This is outlined in Airworthiness Directive (AD) Cessna 400/4 (section 11/67). This directive applies to all model 411 and 411A Cessna aircraft with serial numbers up to 411-0254 that are equipped with unfeathering accumulators (section 11/67). Compliance with this directive requires that the specified modifications be completed within 50 hours of time in service after 30 November 1967 (section 11/67). The directive is documented under Cessna Service Letter No. 67-34, which provides detailed instructions on the required modifications (section 11/67).
The obligations under this AD are clear and specific. Owners or operators of the affected Cessna 400 series aeroplanes must ensure that the engine support beam modifications are carried out by qualified personnel. This includes verifying that the modifications are documented and that the aircraft is returned to service only after the modifications have been completed within the specified timeframe (section 11/67). It is the responsibility of the aircraft owner or operator to ensure compliance with the AD, which may involve coordinating with certified repair facilities or maintenance providers (section 11/67). Additionally, any changes or deviations from the specified modifications must be approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) (section 11/67).
Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD may result in significant legal and operational consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions by CASA. This may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory penalties (section 11/67). Additionally, operating an aircraft that does not comply with ADs can be considered a breach of safety regulations, potentially leading to criminal charges and imprisonment for responsible individuals (section 11/67). The maximum penalties for such breaches are substantial, reflecting the importance of adhering to airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of aviation operations (section 11/67).