AD/CESSNA 400/63 - Emergency Exit Door - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia and overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of aviation operations within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations addresses Airworthiness Directives, such as the Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes AD/CESSNA 400/63 directive issued on 2nd July 1979. This directive aims to rectify safety concerns identified in certain Cessna 400 models, particularly focusing on the modification of emergency exit doors. The policy objective of such directives is to mitigate risks and enhance safety standards for aircraft operations, ensuring that any identified hazards are promptly addressed and resolved to maintain the highest level of aviation safety. The Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes AD/CESSNA 400/63 directive applies to all model 404 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 404-0001 to 404-0136 and 404-0201 to 404-0233. Compliance with this directive was required before 1st June 1979, reflecting the urgency and critical nature of the safety modifications needed. This legislative measure underscores the commitment of CASA and the Australian government to continuously monitor and improve aviation safety, thereby protecting both the public and aviation personnel.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/CESSNA 400/63, applies to all Cessna 400 series aeroplanes, namely model 404, with specific serial numbers ranging from 404-0001 to 404-0136 and 404-0201 to 404-0233. This directive mandates modifications to the emergency exit door of these aircraft to ensure compliance with safety standards. It is applicable to all operators and owners of the specified Cessna 400 series aircraft, ensuring that these planes meet the necessary safety requirements to operate within Australia’s airspace. This legislation reaches across the Commonwealth, applying uniformly to all aircraft within the specified serial number range, regardless of the location within Australia. The directive does not exclude any aircraft within the specified serial number range, and compliance is mandatory before 1 June 1979. The directive may be extended or further specified through subordinate instruments issued by CASA, ensuring the directive remains relevant and enforceable within the current aviation safety framework.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, focus on ensuring the airworthiness of the Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes, specifically addressing emergency exit door modifications (Section 39.105). This directive mandates that all model 404 Cessna aircraft with specific serial numbers (404-0001 to 404-0136 and 404-0201 to 404-0233) must comply with the specified modifications to their emergency exit doors to ensure safety standards are met. This requirement is detailed in the document Cessna SL ME78-41, which outlines the specific modifications needed to be completed before 1 June 1979. Under these regulations, the obligations and requirements imposed on the parties or entities governing these aircraft are clear and stringent. Owners, operators, and maintenance personnel must ensure that the specified modifications to the emergency exit doors are carried out by qualified personnel and verified by authorised inspectors. Compliance with the directives is mandatory, and failure to adhere to the stipulated deadlines and modifications could result in severe penalties or grounding of the aircraft. Furthermore, all modifications must be properly documented and maintained in the aircraft's logbooks, providing a clear record of compliance. Failure to comply with these directives can lead to serious consequences, including both civil and criminal penalties. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance may result in fines up to $275,000 for individuals and $1.375 million for corporations, depending on the severity and frequency of the breach. Additionally, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to issue directives for the immediate grounding of non-compliant aircraft, which can disrupt operations and result in significant financial losses for the operators. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the mandated modifications and ensuring the highest standards of safety in civil aviation.