COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 500 (Citation) Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 500/20
Amdt 2
Tailcone Skin and Vertical Fin Spar Interference
9/85
Applicability: All models 500 and 501 with S/Nos 0001 to 0663. Requirement: Action in accordance with:
Cessna SB53-13 Rev 2 and Cessna SB55-4 (as applicable)
Compliance: Unless already accomplished within, 100 hours time in service after 31 December 1983 or at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue after 31 December 1983, whichever is the later.
Note: No further action is required for aircraft previously inspected in accordance with Cessna S.L. No. SL53-2 and where no interference was detected.
Background: The manufacturer is aware that possible interference between the vertical fin forward spar and the upper tailcone skin may exist on the applicable aircraft.
Amendment 2 of this Directive revises aircraft serial number applicability and the revision status of the Requirement Document.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, form a comprehensive regulatory framework governing aviation safety within the country. Within this legislative instrument, Part 39 addresses specific safety directives to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 500/20, pertains to the Cessna 500 (Citation) Series Aeroplanes and was introduced to address potential safety issues arising from interference between the vertical fin forward spar and the upper tailcone skin. This directive, which applies to all models 500 and 501 with serial numbers ranging from 0001 to 0663, mandates compliance with specific service bulletins issued by the manufacturer, Cessna, to rectify this issue. The policy objective behind this directive is to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety by ensuring that identified structural issues are addressed in a timely manner, thereby preventing potential in-flight hazards.
The directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1983, or at the next scheduled maintenance inspection, whichever is later. Importantly, aircraft that have already undergone inspection in accordance with Cessna Service Letter 53-2, where no interference was detected, are exempt from further action. This targeted approach ensures that only the affected aircraft undergo the necessary corrective measures, streamlining the compliance process while maintaining rigorous safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, establish specific Airworthiness Directives, including AD/CESSNA 500/20 Amendment 2, which is pertinent to all models 500 and 501 Cessna Citation series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 0001 to 0663. This directive mandates compliance with actions detailed in Cessna Service Bulletins SB53-13 Revision 2 and SB55-4, as applicable, to address potential interference between the vertical fin forward spar and the upper tailcone skin. The compliance requirement stipulates that corrective action must be taken within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1983 or during the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue after that date, whichever is later. However, aircraft that have already been inspected in accordance with Cessna Service Letter SL53-2 and found to have no interference do not require further action. The scope of this directive is thus narrowly tailored to specific aircraft models and serial numbers, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the affected fleet.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, address the airworthiness directives for the Cessna 500 (Citation) Series Aeroplanes, and include detailed requirements for maintaining safety standards. The directive AD/CESSNA 500/20 Amendment 2 focuses on addressing potential interference between the vertical fin forward spar and the upper tailcone skin of the aircraft. This directive applies to all models 500 and 501 with serial numbers ranging from 0001 to 0663 (Section 39-105).
Under this legislation, the primary requirement is for aircraft operators to comply with the action specified in Cessna Service Bulletins 53-13 Revision 2 and 55-4, as applicable (Section 39-105). This action must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1983 or at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue after the same date, whichever is later (Section 39-105). Operators need not take further action if the aircraft has already been inspected according to Cessna Service Letter 53-2 and no interference was found (Section 39-105).
The regulations impose specific obligations on the aircraft operators to ensure compliance with the airworthiness directives. These obligations include adhering to the specified timeframes for inspections and actions, and documenting compliance meticulously to maintain a verifiable record. Failure to comply with these directives may result in serious safety implications, as the potential interference addressed in the directive can affect the structural integrity of the aircraft.
Should an operator fail to comply with these requirements, it may result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Potential consequences include fines and other penalties as prescribed by the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The exact penalties for non-compliance are not explicitly stated in the directive but are subject to the broader legislative framework governing aviation safety in Australia.