COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 400/69 Wing Locker Fuel Tank Filler Cap - Rework 11/79
Applicability: Model 402B with S/Nos. 402B1201 to 402B1384 and Model 414 with S/Nos. 414- 0901 to 414-0965 fitted with wing locker auxiliary fuel tanks.
Document: Cessna SIL No. ME79-26.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 November 1979.
Background: A hole is to be drilled in the wing locker fuel tank filler cap to improve venting and to eliminate the possibility of fuel siphoning.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, establish comprehensive safety standards and operational protocols for civil aviation. One of the key aspects of this legislation is Part 39, which outlines specific airworthiness directives to ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft. AD/CESSNA 400/69, introduced under this part, addresses a particular issue related to the wing locker fuel tank filler cap of certain Cessna 400 series aeroplanes, specifically models 402B and 414 within specified serial number ranges. This directive was introduced to address the problem of fuel siphoning and improve venting, as detailed in Cessna SIL No. ME79-26. The objective of this directive is to ensure compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1979, thereby maintaining the safety and operational integrity of the affected aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 400/69 applies to specific models of Cessna 400 series aeroplanes, namely Model 402B with serial numbers 402B1201 to 402B1384 and Model 414 with serial numbers 414-0901 to 414-0965 that are equipped with wing locker auxiliary fuel tanks. This directive is part of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which are federal regulations with jurisdiction throughout the Commonwealth of Australia. The directive mandates that the specified aircraft models must comply with the requirements within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1979, to address the issue of a hole being drilled in the wing locker fuel tank filler cap. This is to enhance the venting system and prevent the risk of fuel siphoning, as detailed in Cessna Service Information Letter No. ME79-26. The directive is specific to the identified aircraft models and serial number ranges, and compliance must be achieved within the prescribed timeframe. The directive extends to all relevant aircraft within the stated parameters, with no exclusions explicitly mentioned in the text.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this legislation, specifically AD/CESSNA 400/69, pertain to the modification of the wing locker fuel tank filler cap for certain Cessna 400 Series aeroplanes. Section (11/79) identifies the applicability of this directive, which applies to Model 402B aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 402B1201 to 402B1384 and Model 414 aeroplanes with serial numbers from 414-0901 to 414-0965, provided they are equipped with wing locker auxiliary fuel tanks. This directive requires the drilling of a hole in the wing locker fuel tank filler cap to enhance venting and prevent fuel siphoning, as detailed in the Cessna SIL No. ME79-26 document. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of the aeroplane's time in service following 30 November 1979.
The obligations imposed by this legislation on the relevant parties, primarily the owners and operators of the specified Cessna 400 Series aeroplanes, are clear and straightforward. They must ensure that the modifications to the wing locker fuel tank filler caps are performed as specified in the directive within the stipulated timeframe. This includes following the detailed instructions provided in the Cessna SIL No. ME79-26 document to drill a hole in the filler cap to improve venting and prevent the risk of fuel siphoning. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the aeroplane being considered non-airworthy, potentially leading to operational restrictions or prohibitions.
Failure to adhere to the provisions of AD/CESSNA 400/69 can lead to significant civil and potentially criminal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives can result in enforcement actions, including the issuance of compliance orders, fines, and in severe cases, prosecution. The maximum penalties for breaches of these regulations can be substantial, reflecting the importance of ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Operators found in breach of these directives may face not only financial penalties but also operational restrictions, which can severely impact their ability to conduct flights safely and legally.