AD/CESSNA 400/76 - King Automatic Pilot Roll Axis Slip Clutch Setting

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, were introduced to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. Part 39 of these regulations, particularly the Airworthiness Directives, addresses specific issues concerning aircraft safety and maintenance. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 400/76, targets the Cessna 400 Series aeroplanes and aims to ensure their safe operation by addressing particular mechanical issues. This directive was developed in response to identified safety concerns related to the King Automatic Pilot Roll Axis Slip Clutch Setting on certain model aeroplanes. The policy objective behind such directives is to mitigate risks and enhance the overall safety standards of civil aviation within Australia. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, issued Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 400/76 to address a specific issue with the roll axis clutch torque in Cessna 400 Series aeroplanes. This directive mandates compliance within 25 hours of time in service after 27 October 1980 for Model 421C aeroplanes with specific serial numbers and King Radio Model KFC-200 Flight Control System installations. The directive references FAA AD 80-20-06 and King Radio Installation Bulletin No. 167 as the documents to ensure compliance. The directive's purpose is to prevent the aircraft from exceeding a 60-degree bank angle in the event of a hardover roll axis malfunction, thereby enhancing the safety of these aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically addressing Cessna 400 series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to the Model 421C of Cessna aircraft with serial numbers 421C0401 and higher, which are equipped with the King Radio Model KFC-200 Flight Control System installed under the Supplemental Type Certificate SA1246CE. The regulation mandates compliance within 25 hours of time in service after the specified date of 27 October 1980, as outlined in FAA AD 80-20-06 Amendment 39-3937 or King Radio Installation Bulletin No. 167. This requirement aims to ensure safety by adjusting the roll axis clutch torque to prevent the aircraft from exceeding a 60-degree bank angle in case of a hardover roll axis malfunction, a modification necessitated by an aileron tab actuator change in the affected Cessna models. The directive underscores the importance of adhering to specific safety standards to maintain airworthiness and operational safety.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically Section 105, mandates certain airworthiness directives for the operation of Cessna 400 Series aeroplanes. Section 105.241(a) identifies the applicability of this directive to Model 421C aeroplanes with serial numbers 421C0401 and above, which are equipped with a King Radio Model KFC-200 Flight Control System under Supplemental Type Certificate SA1246CE. The compliance requirement, as per Section 105.241(b), mandates adherence to either FAA AD 80-20-06 Amendment 39-3937 or King Radio Installation Bulletin No. 167, and requires this to be completed within 25 hours of time in service following 27 October 1980. This directive was issued due to a modification made by Cessna Aircraft to the aileron tab actuator in 421C aeroplanes, necessitating a reduction in the roll axis clutch torque within the KFC-200 Flight Control System to ensure the aircraft does not exceed a 60-degree bank angle during a hardover roll axis malfunction, as specified in Section 105.241(c). Entities and parties governed by these regulations, specifically those operating Model 421C aeroplanes with the specified serial numbers and equipment, are obligated to comply with the directives outlined in Section 105.241. This includes conducting the necessary maintenance and adjustments to the roll axis clutch setting as per the FAA or King Radio documentation referenced. These obligations ensure that the aeroplanes meet the required safety standards and operational criteria set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Section 105.241(d) reinforces the importance of timely compliance, underscoring the necessity for operators to implement the specified changes within the prescribed timeframe to maintain airworthiness. Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in significant legal and operational consequences. Under Section 105.242, violations of these regulations may lead to enforcement actions by CASA, including potential fines or sanctions against the operators. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not explicitly stated in the referenced sections; however, general provisions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 outline that penalties for breaches of regulations can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, criminal charges. The precise penalties would depend on the nature and extent of the breach, as well as any previous history of non-compliance. Section 105.242(a) and (b) highlight the importance of adhering to these directives to avoid such repercussions and to ensure the continued safe operation of the aircraft.