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 500/24 Drag Chute 8/90
Applicability: Model 500 series equipped with a drag chute system.
Requirement: Incorporate the following information on the drag chute canister lid; with the letters being at least 13 mm in height and bordered in red: “DRAG CHUTE CANISTER LID - DO NOT SEAL EDGE”.
Note: This information may be incorporated in the form of a placard, or alternatively by painted letters.
Compliance: Prior to the issue of the next Maintenance Release after 31 August 1990.
Background: This AD is raised in response to an incident in which drag chute deployment was inhibited due to the application of sealant around the periphery of the drag chute canister lid.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by F2006B08398, were introduced to address a specific safety issue related to the Cessna 500 (Citation) Series Aeroplanes. This legislative instrument, enacted by the Australian Government, targets an incident where drag chute deployment was inhibited due to the application of sealant around the periphery of the drag chute canister lid. The policy objective is to ensure the safety of aircraft operations by preventing similar incidents in the future. The regulation requires that the phrase “DRAG CHUTE CANISTER LID - DO NOT SEAL EDGE” be clearly displayed on the drag chute canister lid in a specified manner, ensuring compliance before the next Maintenance Release following 31 August 1990. This directive underscores the commitment to enhancing aviation safety through precise and clear communication of critical maintenance instructions.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, mandate the Airworthiness Directives for the Cessna 500 (Citation) Series Aeroplanes, specifically addressing the drag chute system in AD/CESSNA 500/24. This legislation applies to all Model 500 series aircraft equipped with a drag chute system, requiring compliance with specific labelling requirements to ensure safe deployment. The directive mandates that the words “DRAG CHUTE CANISTER LID - DO NOT SEAL EDGE” must be clearly visible on the drag chute canister lid, with the letters being at least 13 mm in height and bordered in red, either as a placard or painted letters. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved prior to the issuance of the next Maintenance Release following 31 August 1990. This regulatory measure responds directly to an incident where the drag chute deployment was inhibited due to the application of sealant around the lid’s periphery, underscoring the importance of clear and unambiguous warnings to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Key Provisions
The key provision in this legislative instrument (Regulation 39 - 105) mandates that for Cessna 500 (Citation) series aeroplanes equipped with a drag chute system, the drag chute canister lid must prominently display specific information to ensure safe deployment. According to section 8/90 of this AD, the required text “DRAG CHUTE CANISTER LID - DO NOT SEAL EDGE” must be displayed on the canister lid, with the letters being at least 13 mm in height and bordered in red. This information can be incorporated either as a placard or by painted letters. The compliance requirement states that this change must be made before the next Maintenance Release issued after 31 August 1990. This regulation directly addresses an incident where the deployment of the drag chute was hindered due to sealant being applied around the periphery of the canister lid.
This Act imposes several obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Firstly, it mandates that operators of Cessna 500 (Citation) series aeroplanes with drag chute systems must ensure that the drag chute canister lid is clearly marked with the specified text and format. This requirement is intended to prevent any future incidents where the drag chute deployment is compromised by the application of sealant around the canister lid. Additionally, it requires that this change be made before the next Maintenance Release, which is a specific event or update in the maintenance schedule for these aircraft. This ensures that all affected aircraft are updated in a timely and coordinated manner, promoting safety and uniformity in maintenance practices.
In terms of enforcement and compliance, the Act does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties for non-compliance with this particular Airworthiness Directive. However, under the broader framework of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, failure to comply with airworthiness directives can result in significant civil and criminal consequences. For instance, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to issue compliance notices, take corrective action, and impose fines. In more severe cases, CASA can also suspend or revoke airworthiness certificates, which would render the aircraft unable to legally operate. Additionally, operators or individuals found in breach of these regulations could face criminal charges, which could include imprisonment depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on aviation safety.