COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 400/73 Main Landing Gear Tyre Clearance Inspection
9/80
Applicability: All models 441 with S/Nos. 441-0001 to 441-0143 and 411-0145 to 441-0148. Document: Cessna Customer Care SIL No. PJ80-9 & 9A.
Compliance: As per requirement document.
Background: In some other similar 400 series aeroplanes jamming of the MLG has occurred due to lack of tyre clearance in the wheel well opening.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation. One of the specific pieces of legislation within this framework is the Airworthiness Directives, which address safety concerns and compliance for different aircraft models. The directive AD/CESSNA 400/73, pertaining to Cessna 400 series aeroplanes, was introduced to address the problem of main landing gear (MLG) tyre clearance, which has resulted in jamming in some similar models. This directive applies to all Cessna 441 models with serial numbers ranging from 441-0001 to 441-0143 and 411-0145 to 441-0148, and requires compliance with the specified requirements detailed in Cessna Customer Care SIL No. PJ80-9 & 9A. The policy objective of this directive is to mitigate the risk of MLG jamming by ensuring proper tyre clearance in the wheel well opening, thereby enhancing the safety of the aircraft and its passengers.
This legislative instrument highlights the commitment of the Australian government to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation. By enforcing specific directives like AD/CESSNA 400/73, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority aims to prevent incidents related to aircraft malfunctions and ensure the continued safety and reliability of the nation's aviation fleet. The regulation is a critical part of the overarching Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which governs the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, govern the airworthiness directives applicable to various aircraft types. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 400/73, pertains to the Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes, more specifically models 441 with serial numbers ranging from 441-0001 to 441-0143 and 411-0145 to 441-0148. This directive mandates a main landing gear (MLG) tyre clearance inspection to mitigate the risk of jamming due to insufficient clearance in the wheel well opening, as observed in similar 400 series aeroplanes. The compliance with this directive is to be carried out according to the specifications outlined in the Cessna Customer Care SIL No. PJ80-9 & 9A. This legislation applies to the identified Cessna 400 series models within the specified serial number range, ensuring that these aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to avoid operational hazards. The directive is comprehensive in its application, ensuring that the specified models are regularly inspected and maintained to the required safety standards.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the AD/CESSNA 400/73 regulation (section 39-105) mandate a specific inspection for the main landing gear (MLG) tyre clearance in certain models of Cessna 400 series aeroplanes. This applies to all models 441 with serial numbers (S/Nos.) from 441-0001 to 441-0143 and 411-0145 to 441-0148. The inspection requirement is detailed in the Cessna Customer Care Service Information Letter (SIL) numbers PJ80-9 and 9A, and compliance must be adhered to as specified in these documents. This directive is issued to prevent the jamming of the MLG, which has previously occurred due to insufficient tyre clearance in the wheel well opening in similar models.
The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties or entities it governs, primarily focusing on ensuring the safety of the aircraft. Operators of the affected Cessna 400 series aeroplanes must conduct the required MLG tyre clearance inspection as per the specified documents. This involves a thorough examination to ensure that there is adequate clearance in the wheel well opening to prevent any jamming of the MLG. The inspection must be carried out in accordance with the guidelines and procedures outlined in the referenced Cessna Customer Care SILs. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in serious safety hazards.
In terms of potential consequences for non-compliance with the AD/CESSNA 400/73 regulation, while the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, it is implied that any breach of the safety directive could lead to significant civil or criminal repercussions. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce compliance and may impose penalties for non-compliance, which could include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory actions. The exact penalties would be determined by the severity of the breach and the specific circumstances, but the overarching intent is to ensure that all safety directives are strictly adhered to in order to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety.