COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 400/72 Induction Elbow - Replacement 9/80
Applicability: Model 414A fitted with certain P/N 642232 flexible elbows as detailed in requirement documents.
Document: 1. Rolls Royce SB No. T-411; OR 2. T.C.M. SB M80-10; OR 3. Cessna SIL No.
ME80-14.
Compliance: Within 300 hours time in service after 31 July 1980.
Background: This Directive is issued to prevent blockage of inlet manifold by the delaminated inner layer of some P/N 642232 flexible elbows (coloured black, purple and orange). It has been amended to include Cessna SIL No. ME80-14 as an alternative requirement document.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, form a comprehensive regulatory framework governing all aspects of civil aviation in Australia. One particular area of focus within these regulations is the maintenance and airworthiness of aircraft, ensuring that they meet the highest safety standards. A specific example of this commitment is evident in Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes. This directive, AD/CESSNA 400/72, was introduced to address the issue of potential blockage in the inlet manifold of Model 414A aeroplanes equipped with certain P/N 642232 flexible elbows, which could result from delamination of the inner layer. The policy objective behind this directive is to mitigate the risk of such blockages by mandating the replacement of these specific flexible elbows within 300 hours of time in service after 31 July 1980, as detailed in Rolls Royce SB No. T-411, T.C.M. SB M80-10, or Cessna SIL No. ME80-14. This regulatory intervention underscores the importance of proactive maintenance measures to safeguard the operational safety and reliability of aircraft within the Australian civil aviation sector.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the replacement of induction elbows in Model 414A Cessna 400 Series aeroplanes fitted with certain P/N 642232 flexible elbows. This AD applies specifically to aircraft within the specified model and equipment configuration, as detailed in the Rolls Royce SB No. T-411, T.C.M. SB M80-10, or Cessna SIL No. ME80-14 documents. The primary aim of this directive is to mitigate the risk of inlet manifold blockage caused by the delaminated inner layer of the flexible elbows, which are coloured black, purple, and orange. Operators and owners of affected aircraft must ensure compliance with the directive by replacing the specified flexible elbows within 300 hours of time in service following 31 July 1980. This regulation is enforceable under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which govern the safety standards for civil aviation in Australia, and applies to all aircraft registered within the Commonwealth of Australia. The directive does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, meaning all applicable aircraft must adhere to its requirements without exception.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for various aircraft types, including the Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes. One such AD is AD/CESSNA 400/72, which pertains to the replacement of the induction elbow on model 414A fitted with specific part numbers of flexible elbows (section 1). This requirement is outlined in documents such as Rolls Royce SB No. T-411, T.C.M. SB M80-10, or Cessna SIL No. ME80-14 (section 1). The directive is designed to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft by addressing the issue of blockage in the inlet manifold caused by the delaminated inner layer of certain flexible elbows (section 1).
The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties involved, primarily the aircraft operators and maintenance organisations. Operators must ensure that their model 414A aircraft, fitted with the specified part numbers of flexible elbows, comply with the directive within 300 hours of time in service after 31 July 1980 (section 2). This includes replacing the induction elbows as per the requirements detailed in one of the specified service bulletins or service information letters (section 1). Maintenance organisations are responsible for carrying out the necessary inspections and replacements to ensure compliance with the directive. These obligations are crucial to maintaining the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Failure to comply with the AD/CESSNA 400/72 can result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an AD is an offence that can lead to both civil and criminal penalties. Civilly, CASA may impose fines, and criminally, individuals and organisations can be prosecuted, with potential penalties including substantial fines and imprisonment for directors or responsible persons. The specific penalties for non-compliance are determined by the court, but the seriousness of the offence reflects the importance of adhering to airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of aviation operations (section 5).