Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, aim to ensure the safety and regulation of civil aviation activities within the country. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 addresses the safety of aircraft by establishing the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 500/17, targets the Cessna 500 (Citation) Series Aeroplanes to ensure their continued airworthiness. The policy objective behind this directive is to address a potential safety issue by mandating inspections of elevator sector bracket attach rivets on certain Citation 1 aircraft, specifically those with unit numbers ranging from 500-0001 to 500-0564. This directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1981, ensuring that the identified safety concern is addressed promptly and effectively. The directive responds to a documented issue where some Citation 1 aeroplanes were potentially delivered without the elevator bellcrank being properly riveted to the forward bulkhead at FS 456.5. By mandating inspections and compliance within a specified timeframe, the regulation seeks to mitigate any potential safety risks associated with this manufacturing oversight, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, apply to all entities and aircraft that fall within the scope of the regulation, specifically focusing on the Cessna 500 (Citation) Series Aeroplanes. The regulation mandates that all Citation 1 aircraft with unit numbers ranging from 500-0001 to 500-0564 must comply with the airworthiness directive AD/CESSNA 500/17 concerning elevator sector bracket attach rivets. This directive necessitates an inspection to ensure that the elevator bellcrank is properly riveted to the forward bulkhead at FS 456.5, with compliance required within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1981. The legislation applies to both the Commonwealth and state jurisdictions, ensuring uniform safety standards across Australia. The regulation does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, and its application is further extended and possibly modified through subordinate instruments as required.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has established specific requirements through the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in Part 39 - 105, which governs airworthiness directives. Section 39-105(1) mandates that operators of certain aircraft, in this case Cessna 500 (Citation) Series aeroplanes, must adhere to the specified airworthiness directives. AD/CESSNA 500/17 (Section 39-105(2)) pertains to elevator sector bracket attach rivets and requires a thorough inspection of all Citation 1 aircraft with unit numbers ranging from 500-0001 to 500-0564. This directive is crucial as it addresses potential safety issues related to the elevator bellcrank attachment. Operators of the affected Citation 1 aircraft must ensure compliance with the airworthiness directive within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1981, as stipulated in Section 39-105(3). This means that any aircraft falling within the specified unit numbers must undergo an inspection to ascertain whether the elevator bellcrank is properly riveted to the forward bulkhead at FS 456.5, as outlined in Section 39-105(4). The inspection is to be carried out according to the procedures detailed in Cessna Citation S.L. No. SL27-4, which is referenced in Section 39-105(5). Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive could result in serious safety implications and potential regulatory consequences. Operators must ensure that the inspection is completed as per the specified timeline and documentation. Any non-compliance with the directive could lead to enforcement actions by CASA. Section 39-105(6) indicates that such actions may include fines, operational restrictions, or even grounding of the aircraft until the issue is rectified. The penalties for non-compliance are outlined in Section 39-105(7), which may include substantial financial penalties, suspension of the aircraft’s airworthiness certificate, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance results in an accident or serious safety incident. Therefore, adherence to the directive is not just a regulatory requirement but a critical safety measure.