Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government and administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, is a comprehensive set of rules governing all aspects of civil aviation within Australia. One of the instrumental components of these regulations is Part 39, which focuses on ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft through the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs). These directives address specific safety concerns and mandate corrective actions for particular aircraft models. The AD/CESSNA 400/82, specifically concerning Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes, is one such directive. It was introduced to address the issue of ensuring appropriate clearance exists between the elevator cable guard screws and the elevator quadrant in certain model 441 aircraft, thus maintaining safe operational standards and preventing potential mechanical failures. Compliance with this directive is essential for the continued airworthiness and safety of the affected aircraft. The policy objective behind these airworthiness directives is to maintain a robust safety standard across the civil aviation sector by proactively addressing potential hazards. This is achieved through regular inspections and mandated maintenance actions as specified in the ADs. The authority to enforce these regulations lies with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring that all aircraft meet stringent safety criteria. The AD/CESSNA 400/82 is a clear example of the practical implementation of this policy, targeting a specific safety concern to prevent incidents related to the elevator quadrant and cable guard screws in Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandates particular requirements for the Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes, particularly the model 441 with serial numbers ranging from 441-0107 to 441-0189. The regulation targets the inspection of the elevator quadrant/cable guard screw to ensure there is appropriate clearance between the screw and the elevator quadrant, thereby maintaining the aircraft's airworthiness. The directive applies to all the specified Cessna model 441 aircraft within the given serial number range, ensuring that these aircraft meet the necessary safety standards prescribed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This requirement must be complied with within 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service after 30 September 1981. The regulation is part of a broader framework overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and its application is jurisdictional within the Commonwealth of Australia. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions under this directive; all applicable aircraft must adhere to the specified inspection protocol as outlined in Cessna Customer Care SIL PJ80-27.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within PART 39 - 105, mandates that certain Cessna 400 series aeroplanes undergo specific inspections and maintenance actions as outlined in the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. Section AD/CESSNA 400/82 pertains to the inspection of elevator quadrant/cable guard screws for specific model 441 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 441-0107 to 441-0189. This directive necessitates an inspection within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1981, as documented in Cessna Customer Care SIL PJ80-27. The primary requirement of this directive is to ensure that the screws securing the elevator cable guard maintain an appropriate clearance from the elevator quadrant to prevent any mechanical interference or failure. The obligations imposed by this directive require the aircraft operators or maintenance providers to inspect the elevator quadrant/cable guard screws as specified. This involves detailed visual and physical checks to confirm that there is sufficient clearance and that the screws are not causing any undue stress or interference with the elevator quadrant. Operators must document the inspection in accordance with the guidelines provided in the referenced SIL PJ80-27 document and ensure that any necessary repairs or adjustments are made promptly. Failure to comply with the inspection requirements stipulated in the directive may result in serious safety hazards, potentially leading to mechanical failures during flight. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces these regulations rigorously, and non-compliance could result in civil or criminal penalties. While specific penalties are not detailed in the directive, non-compliance with CASA regulations can result in fines, suspension or revocation of operating certificates, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to an aviation accident or incident. The severity of penalties can vary based on the circumstances and the extent of the non-compliance.