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 550/19 Freon Air Conditioner/Elevator
Control Cable
7/90
TX
Applicability: Model 550, 551 and S550 series fitted with STC SA 2698SW freon air conditioning systems.
Requirement: 1. Deactivate the air conditioning system by pulling the airconditioner circuit breakers on the main junction box and install tie wraps to preclude inadvertent re- setting.
2. Visually inspect the elevator control cables under and in the vicinity of the aft baggage compartment floor for evidence of damage caused by either arcing or chafe.
3. Replace mounting hardware on the inboard mounting rail and replace existing earth wire in accordance with Kieth Service Bulletin 108.
Note: FAA Emergency AD 90-07-10 refers.
Compliance: 1. Prior to further flight after 18 April 1990.
2. Within 10 hours time in service after 18 April 1990.
3. Prior to reactivating the airconditioning system.
Background: There has been a report of arcing from the freon airconditioning unit that has burned through an elevator control cable. A defect, if uncorrected, could lead to loss of control.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, contain specific airworthiness directives aimed at maintaining the safety standards of aircraft operating in Australia. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 550/19, pertains to the Cessna 550 (Citation II) Series Aeroplanes and was introduced to address a critical safety issue associated with the aircraft’s freon air conditioning systems. This directive was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to mitigate the risk of loss of control due to potential damage to elevator control cables caused by arcing from the air conditioning unit. The policy objective is to ensure the safety of aircraft operations by mandating specific maintenance actions and inspections to prevent any hazards that could compromise the integrity of the control systems.
The directive mandates the deactivation of the air conditioning system, visual inspections of the elevator control cables for damage, and specific repairs and replacements as outlined. Compliance with this directive is required before further flight, within a stipulated period after a specified date, and before reactivating the air conditioning system. This regulatory measure underscores the commitment to stringent safety protocols to protect both the aircraft and its occupants.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the maintenance and operation of Cessna 550 (Citation II) Series Aeroplanes, encompassing models 550, 551 and S550 fitted with STC SA 2698SW freon air conditioning systems. This regulation is applicable to all operators and maintenance personnel who handle these aircraft, ensuring safety standards are met to mitigate the risk of loss of control due to damage to the elevator control cables. The regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and have a national jurisdictional reach, applicable throughout Australia. There are no specific exclusions mentioned in this directive, meaning it applies universally to the specified models and configurations. Compliance with these airworthiness directives is mandatory, with specific timelines stipulated for deactivating the air conditioning system, conducting inspections, and completing repairs to prevent potential hazards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, include a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives concerning the Cessna 550 (Citation II) Series Aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 550/19, pertains to the Freon Air Conditioner/Elevator Control Cable, issued on 7/90. This directive applies to model 550, 551 and S550 series aircraft fitted with STC SA 2698SW freon air conditioning systems (Section 1). The directive outlines three primary requirements: deactivation of the air conditioning system, visual inspection of the elevator control cables, and specific modifications to mounting hardware and earth wire installation (Section 2).
Firstly, the air conditioning system must be deactivated by pulling the air conditioner circuit breakers on the main junction box, and tie wraps must be installed to prevent inadvertent resetting of the system (Section 2.1). Secondly, operators are required to visually inspect the elevator control cables under and around the aft baggage compartment floor for signs of damage caused by arcing or chafing (Section 2.2). Finally, the mounting hardware on the inboard mounting rail must be replaced, and the existing earth wire must be replaced in accordance with Kieth Service Bulletin 108 (Section 2.3). Compliance with these requirements is critical for safety.
Operators of these aircraft must ensure compliance with the directive before further flight after 18 April 1990, within 10 hours of time in service after that date, and before reactivating the air conditioning system (Section 3). Failure to comply with these directives could result in significant safety risks, particularly the potential for loss of control due to damaged elevator control cables. The directive references FAA Emergency AD 90-07-10, indicating a broader context and urgency for these safety measures.
The consequences of non-compliance with these airworthiness directives are severe. If an operator fails to meet the specified requirements, it could lead to significant civil or criminal penalties. The maximum penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 include fines of up to $216,000 for individuals and $1,080,000 for corporations, as well as potential imprisonment terms for serious offences. Furthermore, failure to comply could result in the grounding of the aircraft, leading to operational disruptions and potential liability for any accidents or incidents arising from non-compliance.