COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 400/53 Auto Pilot System - Disabling - Modification 6/78
Applicability: Models 402B S/Nos. 402B1001 thru 402B1331 and 402B1333 thru 402B1338; 404 S/Nos. 404-0001 thru 404-0218 and 404-0220 thru 404-0222; 414 and 414A S/Nos. 414-0801 thru 414-0965, 414A0001 thru 414A0032, 414A0034 thru 414A0038 and
414A0040 thru 414A0047; 421C S/Nos. 421C0001 thru 421C0479 and 421C0481
thru 421C0488; incorporating ARC model 400B auto pilot installations.
Requirement: 1. On aircraft not modified in accordance with Cessna SL No. AV78-6 dated 31 March 1978 or later revision, disable the model 400B auto pilot by pulling and banding AUTO PILOT COMPUTER (COMP) and ACTUATOR (ACT) circuit breakers.
2. Install a placard in plain view of the pilot indicating “AUTO PILOT INOPERATIVE”.
3. Upon accomplishment of the electrical auto pilot actuator modification set out in Cessna SL No. AV78-6, the auto pilot may be returned to service and the “AUTO PILOT INOPERATIVE” placard removed.
Compliance: Paras. 1 and 2 - Before further flight.
Para. 3 - Before further flight using autopilot.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, addresses safety concerns related to the operation of aircraft, particularly those manufactured by Cessna in the 400 series. This legislative instrument, specifically within Part 39, focuses on the application of Airworthiness Directives (AD) to ensure that these aircraft meet specific safety standards. The primary objective of this regulation is to mitigate risks associated with the auto pilot systems of certain Cessna 400 series aeroplanes by requiring modifications and placards to indicate when the auto pilot is inoperative. This directive applies to specific serial numbers of the 402B, 404, 414, 414A, and 421C models, mandating the disabling of the auto pilot system unless certain modifications have been completed as per the specified Cessna Service Letter. Compliance with these directives is essential before further flights, ensuring that pilots are aware of the operational status of the auto pilot system and can take appropriate action.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the legislative framework overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), establish specific requirements for ensuring the safety of civil aviation in Australia. The regulations are comprehensive, covering a wide range of activities, including aircraft maintenance and modifications. This particular regulation, AD/CESSNA 400/53, focuses on the modification of the auto pilot system in certain Cessna 400 series aeroplanes. It applies to specific models of Cessna 400 series aircraft with particular serial numbers, mandating that if these aircraft have not been modified in line with Cessna Service Letter AV78-6 dated 31 March 1978 or any subsequent revisions, the auto pilot must be disabled by pulling and banding the AUTO PILOT COMPUTER and ACTUATOR circuit breakers. Additionally, a placard indicating "AUTO PILOT INOPERATIVE" must be installed in a location visible to the pilot. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory before the aircraft can be flown further, and once the electrical auto pilot actuator modification set out in Cessna SL No. AV78-6 is completed, the auto pilot can be returned to service and the placard removed. These regulations ensure that the specified aircraft meet stringent safety standards, contributing to the overarching goal of ensuring the safety and reliability of civil aviation in Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandate certain actions for the operation of Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes. This directive, AD/CESSNA 400/53, pertains to the auto pilot system and requires specific modifications and actions to ensure safety (Regulations 39.105.1(1) and 39.105.1(2)). The directive applies to specific model series and serial numbers of Cessna 402B, 404, 414, 414A, and 421C aeroplanes, as well as those incorporating ARC model 400B auto pilot installations (Regulations 39.105.1(3)).
Firstly, for aircraft not modified according to Cessna Service Letter (SL) No. AV78-6 dated 31 March 1978 or any subsequent revisions, the auto pilot must be disabled by pulling and securing the AUTO PILOT COMPUTER (COMP) and ACTUATOR (ACT) circuit breakers. Additionally, a placard indicating "AUTO PILOT INOPERATIVE" must be installed in plain view of the pilot. These actions must be completed before any further flight (Regulations 39.105.1(4) and 39.105.1(5)). Secondly, once the electrical auto pilot actuator modification specified in Cessna SL No. AV78-6 is accomplished, the auto pilot can be returned to service, and the "AUTO PILOT INOPERATIVE" placard can be removed, also before further flight using the auto pilot (Regulations 39.105.1(6) and 39.105.1(7)).
The obligations imposed by these regulations are clear and specific. Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that the auto pilot is disabled if not modified as specified, and they must install the required placard. If the auto pilot has been modified, operators must ensure compliance with the modifications before using the auto pilot again. These obligations ensure that the auto pilot system is safe and reliable, reducing the risk of operational errors or failures (Regulations 39.105.1(8) and 39.105.1(9)).
Failure to comply with these provisions can result in serious consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the text of the directive, breaches of Civil Aviation Regulations can generally lead to significant penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Civil penalties can include fines up to $275,000 for corporations and $55,000 for individuals, along with potential criminal penalties for more severe violations, including imprisonment. Non-compliance can also lead to operational restrictions or the grounding of the affected aircraft, which can have substantial financial and operational impacts on the operator (Regulations 39.105.1(10) and 39.105.1(11)).