COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 400 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 400/94 Aileron Hinge Assembly 7/88
Applicability: Cessna 404 with S/Nos 404-0001 to 404-0859 inclusive. Requirement: Modify in accordance with Cessna SB MEB 85-8 and SIL ME 83-25. Compliance: Not later than 31 December 1988.
Background: The original aileron hinge assembly design made it difficult to correctly install and secure the pivot bolt without overtorqueing. The resultant overstressing of the hinge brackets has led to their premature failure in a number of cases, and in one instance the aileron jammed in the wing structure, nearly causing loss of the aircraft. The manufacturer has redesigned the hinge assembly to help prevent further problems.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Australian Parliament, introduced a regulatory framework to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. One of the critical components of this framework is Part 39 - 105, which details the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This particular regulation, known as AD/CESSNA 400/94, was introduced to address the issue of premature failure of the aileron hinge assembly in Cessna 404 aircraft, specifically those with serial numbers ranging from 404-0001 to 404-0859. The problem identified was the difficulty in correctly installing and securing the pivot bolt in the original design, leading to overstressing of the hinge brackets and subsequent failures, including a near-catastrophic event where an aileron jammed in the wing structure. The policy objective behind this directive is to mitigate these risks by mandating a modification to the aileron hinge assembly in accordance with the manufacturer's Service Bulletins MEB 85-8 and SIL ME 83-25, with compliance required by 31 December 1988.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertain to the safety and operational standards of aircraft within Australia's airspace. This legislation applies to all Cessna 404 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 404-0001 to 404-0859 inclusive. It mandates that the aileron hinge assembly must be modified according to the specifications outlined in Cessna Service Bulletin (SB) MEB 85-8 and Service Instruction Letter (SIL) ME 83-25. The directive aims to address and rectify the known design flaw in the original aileron hinge assembly which, if unaddressed, could lead to significant safety risks such as premature bracket failure and potential jamming of the aileron in the wing structure, which has already resulted in near-catastrophic incidents. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved by 31 December 1988. The regulation’s geographic reach is national, applying uniformly across all states and territories of Australia to ensure consistent safety standards in civil aviation.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, include the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives which govern the airworthiness of aircraft in Australia. One such directive is AD/CESSNA 400/94, which pertains to the aileron hinge assembly of Cessna 400 Series aeroplanes, more precisely those with serial numbers 404-0001 to 404-0859 (section 39-105). This directive mandates that the aileron hinge assembly of these aircraft must be modified in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletins (SB) MEB 85-8 and Service Instructions Letter (SIL) ME 83-25. The compliance deadline for this modification is 31 December 1988, ensuring that all affected aircraft meet the specified standards to maintain their airworthiness.
The obligations imposed by AD/CESSNA 400/94 on the owners or operators of the affected Cessna 404 aircraft are clear and precise. They are required to ensure that the aileron hinge assembly is modified according to the specifications provided in the referenced service bulletins and service instructions. This involves a detailed inspection of the existing hinge assembly and its subsequent modification or replacement to comply with the manufacturer's guidelines. The directive aims to address a known design flaw that could lead to the overstressing of hinge brackets, potentially resulting in premature failure or, in extreme cases, the jamming of the aileron within the wing structure, which could compromise the aircraft's safety.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in AD/CESSNA 400/94 can lead to serious consequences. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives is a breach of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, and such breaches are subject to enforcement actions by CASA. The regulatory framework provides for both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. Civil penalties can include fines, and in more severe cases, CASA can take action to suspend or revoke the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness. Criminal penalties may also apply, leading to prosecution and potential imprisonment, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance on aviation safety. The maximum penalties can vary but are designed to ensure strict adherence to airworthiness standards.