COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 400/86
Amdt 1
Applicability: All models.
Powerplant Fire Detection System - Installation
9/84
Requirement: 1. Install a powerplant fire detection system complying with a specification acceptable to the Secretary.
2. Ensure that maintenance instructions for the system are adequately detailed in the approved maintenance system for the aircraft.
Note 1. Fire detection systems which have been shown to comply with paragraph 1203 of Part 23 of the US Federal Aviation Regulations are acceptable as complying with this Airworthiness Directive.
Note 2. It is recommended, in the interest of safety, that when complying with this Directive, consideration be given to the installation of both audible fire warning devices and fire extinguishing systems. A suitable standard for this can be found in ANO 101.4 Para 6.14.
Compliance: Before 1 April 1983.
Background: a. This Directive has been amended in order to clarify the intent of Note 2 in the Requirement.
b. Hot gas escaping from failed exhaust manifolds has caused serious structural damage to nacelles and wings. This damage may remain undetected in flight with potentially fatal results. In order to reduce this threat fire detectors are to be installed.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended in 2006, introduce stringent requirements for the installation of powerplant fire detection systems on Cessna 400 series aeroplanes to address the safety risks associated with undetected fires in the powerplant area. This legislative instrument, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, aims to mitigate potential hazards that can arise from hot gas escaping from failed exhaust manifolds, which have previously caused serious structural damage to nacelles and wings, potentially leading to fatal consequences if undetected during flight. The policy objective is to enhance safety by ensuring that fire detection systems are installed and maintained in accordance with specifications acceptable to the Secretary, while also recommending the installation of additional safety measures such as audible fire warning devices and fire extinguishing systems.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompasses the Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) which apply to all models of Cessna 400 series aeroplanes. The primary focus of this particular directive, AD/CESSNA 400/86 Amendment 1, is the mandatory installation of a powerplant fire detection system that meets specifications acceptable to the Secretary. This requirement aims to address the risk of structural damage caused by hot gas escaping from failed exhaust manifolds, which has the potential to result in undetected damage with fatal consequences during flight. The directive also mandates that maintenance instructions for the system must be comprehensively detailed within the approved maintenance framework for the aircraft. Compliance with this directive is required before 1 April 1983, and while the directive itself specifies the mandatory requirements, the regulations can be further extended or detailed through subordinate instruments and other relevant aviation safety standards, such as those referenced in the Advisory Circulars and Aeronautical Notices issued by CASA.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes a directive for Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes (AD/CESSNA 400/86 Amendment 1). This directive mandates the installation of a powerplant fire detection system (section 1) and ensures that maintenance instructions for this system are adequately detailed in the approved maintenance system for the aircraft (section 2). The directive applies to all models of Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes. The requirement to install the fire detection system is straightforward: it must comply with specifications acceptable to the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport. Additionally, systems that have been shown to comply with paragraph 1203 of Part 23 of the US Federal Aviation Regulations are acceptable under this directive. The directive also recommends, for safety reasons, that both audible fire warning devices and fire extinguishing systems be installed, with a suitable standard for these components available in ANO 101.4 Para 6.14.
Entities and parties governed by this directive must ensure that the installation of the fire detection system is completed in accordance with the specified requirements. This includes making sure that any fire detection system installed meets the necessary compliance standards and that the maintenance instructions for this system are clearly and adequately detailed within the aircraft's approved maintenance system. The directive aims to mitigate risks associated with hot gas escaping from failed exhaust manifolds, which can cause significant structural damage to nacelles and wings, potentially leading to catastrophic in-flight failures.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this directive can result in serious safety implications. While specific penalties are not detailed in the directive, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to severe consequences. These may include fines, aircraft grounding, or other regulatory actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The overarching aim is to ensure that all Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes maintain the highest safety standards, thereby protecting the integrity of air travel and the safety of passengers and crew.