AD/CESSNA 400/9 - Fuel Crossover Line - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were enacted to ensure that civil aviation in Australia operates to the highest standards of safety and reliability. One such legislative instrument, F2006B08373, addresses the modification of the fuel crossover line in Cessna 400 Series aeroplanes, particularly for the 401 and 402 series. This directive was introduced to mitigate risks associated with fuel crossover line failures, a known safety issue identified in the technical memo Rex Aviation Tech. Memo TM-26, 1969. The primary policy objective is to ensure compliance within 100 hours of time in service following the directive's issuance on 12 May 1969, thus enhancing the overall safety of these aircraft in Australian airspace.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, encompass Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which pertains specifically to Cessna 400 series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all aircraft within the 401 and 402 series, requiring compliance with modifications to the fuel crossover line as stipulated in Rex Aviation Technical Memorandum TM-26 from 1969. The directive mandates that these modifications be implemented within 100 hours of time in service following 12 May 1969. The scope of the Act extends to ensuring the airworthiness of the specified aircraft by enforcing the necessary modifications to enhance safety standards. This legislation has a national reach within the Commonwealth of Australia, covering all relevant aircraft operating within the country. The Act does not provide explicit exclusions or exemptions, meaning all applicable aircraft must comply with the outlined modifications. The application of the Act may be extended or further detailed through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, specifically mandate modifications to the fuel crossover line of Cessna 400 series aeroplanes, as outlined in AD/CESSNA 400/9 (section 1). This Airworthiness Directive applies to all 401 and 402 series Cessna aircraft. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service following 12 May 1969, as referenced in Rex Aviation Tech. Memo TM-26, 1969 (section 4). Entities governed by these regulations, such as aircraft operators and maintenance service providers, are required to ensure that the specified modifications to the fuel crossover line are completed as per the directive. This includes conducting the necessary checks and modifications to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft, ensuring that all procedures and standards outlined in the document are adhered to (section 4). These obligations extend to the timely implementation of the modifications to avoid any potential safety risks associated with non-compliance. Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 400/9 may result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose strict penalties for non-compliance, including potential fines and other regulatory actions (section 5). In more severe cases, the continued operation of an aircraft that does not meet the specified modifications could lead to more serious civil or criminal penalties. The maximum penalties for such breaches are outlined within the broader regulatory framework, with the exact fines and sanctions dependent on the severity and impact of the non-compliance (section 5). It is crucial for all parties involved to understand and adhere to these provisions to ensure the safety and regulatory compliance of the aircraft in question.