AD/CESSNA 400/91 - Elevator Bellcrank Bracket Integrity

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serve to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australian airspace. This legislation includes Part 39, which pertains to airworthiness directives and maintenance requirements for various aircraft models, including the Cessna 400 series aeroplanes. Specifically, AD/CESSNA 400/91 addresses the issue of elevator bellcrank bracket integrity for the Model 441 S/No.s 0001 to 0355, introduced to mitigate the risk of rivet failure that the manufacturer had identified. The directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1986 or at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release after that date, ensuring that all applicable aircraft meet the specified safety standards to prevent potential in-flight hazards. The policy objective is to maintain a high standard of safety and reliability in civil aviation operations within Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the maintenance and safety requirements for Cessna 400 Series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to specific models, namely Model 441 with serial numbers ranging from 0001 to 0355. The directive mandates actions as outlined in Cessna Service Bulletin CQB86-13, focusing on the integrity of the elevator bellcrank bracket to mitigate the risk of rivet failure, a known issue highlighted by the manufacturer. Compliance with these directives is required within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1986 or at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release following that date, whichever is later. The regulations are enforced nationally and apply to all operators within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring consistent safety standards across the industry.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, and the associated Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), mandate certain requirements for the maintenance and inspection of aircraft. One such directive is AD/CESSNA 400/91, which pertains to the elevator bellcrank bracket integrity of Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to models 441 with serial numbers ranging from 0001 to 0355 (Section 105.11). The directive mandates that the action specified in Cessna Service Bulletin CQB86-13 must be followed (Section 105.12). This action involves the inspection and potential repair or replacement of the elevator bellcrank bracket to ensure its structural integrity, given the reported instances of rivet failure. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1986 or at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release after 30 December 1986, whichever is later (Section 105.13). Entities and individuals responsible for the maintenance and operation of the affected Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes must adhere to the requirements set out in AD/CESSNA 400/91. This includes ensuring that the elevator bellcrank bracket is inspected and maintained according to the specifications outlined in Cessna Service Bulletin CQB86-13. Operators and maintenance personnel must be trained and aware of these specific requirements and must document the completion of the necessary inspections and actions in the aircraft's maintenance records. These obligations ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft in question, reflecting a commitment to meeting regulatory standards and maintaining operational safety. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/CESSNA 400/91 may result in serious consequences. According to the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with an AD can lead to penalties and enforcement actions. The maximum penalties for non-compliance with an AD can include substantial fines, as outlined in the regulations. Additionally, continued operation of an aircraft that does not meet the required airworthiness standards may result in enforcement actions such as grounding the aircraft or other administrative actions to ensure compliance. It is imperative that operators and maintenance personnel take the necessary steps to ensure that all requirements are met to avoid these potential penalties and to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.