COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 550 (Citation II) Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 550/15
Amdt 1
Flap Drain Holes 10/88
Applicability: S550 and 552 S/N S550-0001 to S550-0153 and 552-0001 to 552-0017. Requirement: 1. Action in accordance with Cessna Service Letter SLA S550-57-01.
2. Repairs, if necessary, in accordance with Cessna SB S550-57-5.
Note: FAA AD 88-11-07 refers.
Compliance: 1. Prior to further flight after 13 June 1988.
2. Must be accomplished prior to further flight for aeroplanes identified as having no drain holes or obstructed drain holes in the flaps by Service Letter SLA
S550-57-01.
Background: There has been an incident where the outboard flap shattered in flight. Investigation revealed that the flap had no drain/vent holes which led to pressurization at altitude. Subsequently, other flaps have been found without drain/vent holes. Amendment 1 states SB that provides repair instructions and spares stock affected.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes the Airworthiness Directives concerning various aircraft, such as the Cessna 550 (Citation II) Series Aeroplanes. This legislation was introduced to address safety concerns related to the structural integrity of aircraft flaps. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enacts these regulations to ensure compliance with safety standards and mitigate risks associated with identified issues. The policy objective is to mandate corrective actions to prevent incidents such as the shattering of flaps due to the absence or obstruction of drain holes, which can lead to dangerous pressurization at altitude. The regulations require aircraft owners or operators to adhere to specific service bulletins and letters issued by the manufacturer, Cessna, to ensure the required actions are taken and repairs are implemented as necessary. Compliance with these directives is mandatory before further flight, particularly for aircraft identified as lacking the necessary drain holes or having obstructed drain holes in their flaps.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate the compliance of airworthiness directives for certain aircraft. In this case, the regulations apply to the Cessna 550 (Citation II) series aeroplanes, including those with serial numbers S550-0001 to S550-0153 and 552-0001 to 552-0017. The directive requires actions as per Cessna Service Letter SLA S550-57-01 and repairs following Cessna Service Bulletin SB S550-57-5. This regulatory mandate ensures the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft by addressing a specific issue where the absence or obstruction of drain holes in the flaps can lead to pressurization problems, potentially causing the flaps to shatter in flight. The requirement applies to all relevant aircraft and must be adhered to before any further flights after 13 June 1988, especially for those aeroplanes identified as lacking drain holes or having obstructed drain holes. The regulation extends its reach to ensure the safety standards are met nationally, aligning with the Federal Aviation Administration's AD 88-11-07.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish the requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of certain aircraft, including the Cessna 550 (Citation II) Series Aeroplanes. This regulation is detailed in the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, with the directive AD/CESSNA 550/15 Amendment 1 focusing on flap drain holes. According to section 105 of the Regulations, the directive applies to all Cessna 550 and 552 series aircraft with serial numbers ranging from S550-0001 to S550-0153 and 552-0001 to 552-0017. The directive mandates that owners or operators of these aircraft must comply with the requirements outlined in Cessna Service Letter SLA S550-57-01 and, if necessary, perform repairs as detailed in Cessna Service Bulletin SB S550-57-5. These actions must be completed prior to any further flight of the aircraft, especially if it has been identified as having no drain holes or obstructed drain holes in the flaps.
The obligations imposed by this directive include a strict compliance timeline and specific maintenance actions. Aircraft owners or operators must ensure that the required actions are undertaken before the aircraft is flown again after 13 June 1988. This directive also requires that any identified issues with the flap drain holes be resolved before any subsequent flight. This involves following the detailed instructions provided in the referenced service letters and bulletins, which include specific repair procedures and potentially the replacement of parts. The directive references FAA AD 88-11-07 for additional guidance, indicating a cross-jurisdictional standard to ensure safety.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives can result in serious consequences. If an aircraft is operated in violation of these requirements, it may be considered unairworthy, potentially leading to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). While the regulations do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, operating an aircraft that does not meet the specified airworthiness standards can result in significant legal and financial repercussions. These could include fines, grounding of the aircraft, and possible criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to an accident or incident. The severity of the penalties can depend on the extent of the non-compliance and the resulting risks to safety.