AD/CESSNA 500/11 - Aft Facing Seat - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, constitute a comprehensive set of rules governing the safe operation of civil aircraft within Australian airspace. One particular aspect of these regulations, addressed under Part 39 - 105, concerns Airworthiness Directives (ADs) which ensure the ongoing safety and airworthiness of aircraft. These ADs are issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and are designed to address identified safety issues in specific aircraft models. For instance, AD/CESSNA 500/11 pertains to Cessna 500 (Citation) Series Aeroplanes, specifically addressing the inspection of aft facing seats. The directive was introduced to mitigate the risk associated with the aft facing passenger seats in certain models, ensuring they meet safety standards as per Service Bulletin (SB) 25-16 dated 26 February 1975. The policy objective of these regulations is to maintain high safety standards in the civil aviation sector, ensuring the protection of passengers, crew, and the general public.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the scope of PART 39 - 105, applies to all Cessna 500 (Citation) Series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 500-0001 to 500-0222 that are equipped with aft-facing passenger seats which have not been modified in accordance with Service Bulletin (SB) 25-16 dated 26 February 1975. This legislation is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and its directive is aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft operations through specified inspections of aft-facing seats. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, requiring inspections to be conducted within 25 hours of time in service after the bulletin's date. The regulations apply nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, and their enforcement extends to all entities operating these specific models of aircraft within the country. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this directive, and its application is precise and does not extend or restrict itself through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the AD/CESSNA 500/11 Airworthiness Directive require an inspection of aft facing passenger seats on specific model 500 Cessna Citation Series aeroplanes (section 4/75). This directive applies to all model 500 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 500-0001 to 500-0222 that are fitted with aft-facing passenger seats and have not yet been modified in accordance with Service Bulletin 25-16 dated 26 February 1975 (section 4/75). The directive mandates that this inspection be conducted within 25 hours of time in service following the date of the bulletin, 25 February 1975. The obligations imposed by this Act include the requirement for operators of affected aircraft to ensure that the inspections are carried out by qualified personnel and that any identified issues are addressed promptly. The directive is clear that compliance must be achieved within the specified timeframe, underscoring the importance of adhering to safety standards to prevent potential hazards. Operators must also maintain records of the inspections and any corrective actions taken, ensuring traceability and accountability for compliance with the directive. Failure to comply with the AD/CESSNA 500/11 Airworthiness Directive can result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can be considered a breach of regulations, potentially leading to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such breaches may result in penalties, including fines and other sanctions as stipulated in the regulations. Additionally, operating an aircraft that does not meet the required airworthiness standards can pose safety risks, potentially leading to more severe civil or criminal liabilities if accidents or incidents occur due to non-compliance.