AD/CESSNA 550/17 Amdt 1 - Fuel Flow Transmitters

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, serve as a comprehensive framework to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. Part 39, specifically addressing airworthiness directives, includes the Cessna 550 (Citation II) Series Aeroplanes AD/CESSNA 550/17 Amendment 1 concerning fuel flow transmitters. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the safety concerns associated with the specified aircraft models and their fuel flow transmitters, ensuring they meet the required safety standards. The policy objective is to enhance safety by requiring specific actions in line with the Cessna Alert Service Bulletins, as applicable to different model series, thereby mitigating risks related to fuel flow transmitter operations. The directive, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandates compliance with the revised effectivity date of 16 May 1991 for Australian registered aircraft. It extends the applicability to include additional aircraft models and serial numbers of affected fuel flow transmitters. The requirement includes inspections at repetitive intervals until certain quality standards are met, as specified in the relevant bulletins. This amendment aims to provide a clear and effective approach to maintaining airworthiness and ensuring that all relevant stakeholders adhere to the updated safety protocols.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105 within the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains to the Cessna 550 (Citation II) series aeroplanes, as outlined in AD/CESSNA 550/17 Amendment 1. This legislation applies to Cessna aircraft models 500, 551, S550, and 560 that are fitted with P/N 9912031-6 fuel flow transmitters. The requirement stipulates compliance with specific Cessna Alert Service Bulletins, depending on the aircraft model, and mandates that affected fuel flow transmitters be inspected at repetitive intervals until the specified action is completed, as detailed in the Requirement documents. The application of this directive is national in scope, affecting all aircraft registered in Australia and ensuring that they meet the specified safety standards. The legislation has been updated to broaden its applicability to additional aircraft models, expand the range of serial numbers for affected fuel flow transmitters, and include a terminating action for compliance. The compliance requirements are delineated in the relevant Requirement documents and include a revised effectivity date of 16 May 1991 for aircraft registered in Australia. The directive underscores the importance of adhering to the specified inspection intervals and completing the action as outlined in Ragen Data System Inc. Quality Standard Procedure Instruction Number QSPI 3-36 Revision C. This legislation is enforced nationally and applies to all relevant aircraft within Australia, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of these models are maintained.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives for various aircraft, including the Cessna 550 (Citation II) series aeroplanes. Under this schedule, AD/CESSNA 550/17 Amendment 1 addresses the issue of fuel flow transmitters in certain Cessna models. This airworthiness directive applies to Citation 500, 551, S550, and 560 model aircraft fitted with specific part numbers of fuel flow transmitters, namely P/N 9912031-6 (paragraph 5). The directive mandates action according to the Cessna Alert Service Bulletin, which provides specific instructions depending on the model of the aircraft. For instance, Model 550/551 should follow SBA550-73-3 Rev 3, Model S550 should adhere to SBAS550-73-1 Rev 3, and Model 560 should comply with SBA560-73-1 Rev 3, as outlined in the requirement document (paragraph 1). The obligations imposed by this directive include ensuring that the appropriate action is taken as detailed in the specified requirement documents. Aircraft owners and operators must inspect the fuel flow transmitters at repetitive intervals until the Ragen Data System Inc. Quality Standard Procedure Instruction Number QSPI 3-36 Revision C has been fulfilled (paragraph 1). This inspection process is critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring compliance with CASA regulations. For Australian registered aircraft, the compliance date has been set as 16 May 1991, which may differ from the original requirement date (paragraph 5). Breaching the provisions of this airworthiness directive can have serious consequences. Non-compliance may lead to penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. The specific penalties for breaches can include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the offence. The exact penalties are not detailed in the airworthiness directive itself but are governed by the broader legislative framework under which CASA operates. The maximum penalties can be severe, reflecting the critical nature of ensuring airworthiness in aviation safety. The directive also highlights the importance of ongoing maintenance and compliance with CASA's requirements. The need for repetitive inspections until certain quality standards are met underscores the regulatory body's commitment to safety. Any failure to adhere to these requirements can potentially compromise the safety of the aircraft and its passengers, leading to significant legal and operational repercussions for the aircraft operators. Therefore, it is imperative for all affected parties to diligently follow the stipulated actions and deadlines to avoid any legal consequences.