COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 400/78 Elevator Quadrant Cable Guard
Screw - Inspection
1/81
Applicability: Models 402 S/Nos. 402B0301 to 402CO328, 404 S/Nos. 404-0001 to 404-0656; 414 S/Nos. 414-0351 to 414A0535; 421 S/Nos. 421B0301 to 421C0897.
Document: Cessna Customer Care SIL No. ME80-42.
Compliance: Within 50 hours time in service after 27 November 1980.
Background: Inspection of the elevator cable guard screws is required to ensure appropriate clearance exists between the screw and the elevator quadrant.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, aim to establish and maintain a comprehensive regulatory framework for ensuring the safety of civil aviation. Within this legislative framework, Part 39 specifically addresses Airworthiness Directives, which are critical for maintaining the safety standards of aircraft. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 400/78, focuses on Cessna 400 series aeroplanes, particularly mandating the inspection of elevator quadrant cable guard screws to ensure that there is appropriate clearance between the screw and the elevator quadrant, thus addressing a specific safety concern identified in these aircraft models. The policy objective is to prevent potential in-flight incidents by ensuring that all maintenance and inspection activities are carried out in compliance with the stipulated safety standards.
This legislative instrument underscores the importance of stringent regulatory oversight in civil aviation, aiming to enhance the overall safety and reliability of aircraft operations. By implementing specific Airworthiness Directives such as AD/CESSNA 400/78, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority ensures that all relevant aircraft models adhere to necessary maintenance protocols, thereby mitigating risks associated with mechanical failures and enhancing the safety of air travel.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to the inspection of elevator quadrant cable guard screws on certain models of Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes. These models include the 402 with serial numbers ranging from 402B0301 to 402CO328, the 404 with serial numbers from 404-0001 to 404-0656, the 414 with serial numbers from 414-0351 to 414A0535, and the 421 with serial numbers from 421B0301 to 421C0897. The directive mandates that compliance with the inspection requirements must be achieved within 50 hours of time in service after 27 November 1980. This directive is aimed at ensuring that the appropriate clearance exists between the elevator cable guard screws and the elevator quadrant, thereby maintaining the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft as per the standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The directive is enforceable across the Commonwealth of Australia, with compliance overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contains detailed provisions for ensuring the airworthiness of various aircraft, including the Cessna 400 series aeroplanes. The relevant section, AD/CESSNA 400/78, pertains to the elevator quadrant cable guard screw and its inspection (section 1). This regulation applies to specific models and serial numbers of Cessna 400 series aeroplanes, namely the 402, 404, 414, and 421 series within certain serial number ranges. The inspection is mandated to ensure there is appropriate clearance between the screw and the elevator quadrant, a critical safety measure.
Under these regulations, the entities governed by the Act must comply with the specified inspection requirements within a defined timeframe. Operators of the affected Cessna models must ensure that the elevator quadrant cable guard screws are inspected within 50 hours of time in service after 27 November 1980 (section 1). This compliance must be achieved by following the instructions provided in the Cessna Customer Care SIL No. ME80-42 document. The obligation is clear: conduct the inspection, verify the clearance, and ensure that any necessary adjustments or replacements are made to maintain the aircraft's airworthiness standards.
Failure to comply with the inspection requirements as outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations can result in serious consequences. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives is not only a breach of regulatory standards but can also lead to severe civil and criminal penalties. The regulations do not specify the exact penalties for non-compliance in this particular directive, but generally, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to impose fines, suspend or revoke airworthiness certificates, and take other enforcement actions. These measures are in place to ensure the highest standards of safety and compliance in the aviation industry.