Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted by the Parliament of Australia, address the critical need for stringent safety standards in the aviation sector. The legislative instrument F2006B08433, specifically within Part 39 - 105, targets a particular safety concern regarding the Cessna 550 (Citation II) series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to ensure that the elevator and rudder trim system is regularly inspected to prevent potential safety hazards. The policy objective behind this regulation is to maintain the highest safety standards by ensuring that specific components of the aircraft are correctly installed and functional, thus protecting both the crew and passengers. Compliance with these airworthiness directives is mandatory, with the directive requiring inspections within 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service following 30th November 1983, or at the next scheduled inspection, whichever comes later.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, apply to all Cessna 550 (Citation II) series aeroplanes with unit numbers ranging from 0002 to 0465. These regulations are designed to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia and are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The specified airworthiness directive mandates that an inspection of the elevator and rudder trim system must be conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1983 or at the next scheduled inspection for maintenance release issue after that date, whichever is later. This requirement is critical as it addresses issues identified by the manufacturer concerning incorrectly installed and torqued elevator and rudder trim tab stop blocks, as well as incorrectly installed trim tab actuator chain guards. These regulations do not specify any exclusions or exemptions, applying uniformly to all affected aircraft within the stated parameters. The regulations are applicable nationwide, and any deviations or extensions to their application would typically be addressed through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 550/5, mandates certain actions concerning the elevator and rudder trim system of the Cessna 550 (Citation II) Series aeroplanes. Section (1) of the AD applies to all models 550 with unit numbers ranging from 0002 through 0465. The directive specifies that an inspection is required for these aircraft to address issues with the trim tab stop blocks and actuator chain guards (AD/CESSNA 550/5). Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 30th November 1983, or at the next scheduled inspection for maintenance release issue after that date, whichever is later (section 2). The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators of the affected aircraft. They must ensure that an inspection is carried out to verify the correct installation and torquing of the elevator and rudder trim tab stop blocks, as well as the proper installation of the trim tab actuator chain guards. This is crucial to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and to prevent potential hazards that could arise from incorrectly installed components. The inspection should be conducted by qualified personnel who are familiar with the Cessna 550 aircraft and its maintenance requirements (section 3). Failure to comply with the AD AD/CESSNA 550/5 can lead to serious consequences. Non-compliance may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could prevent it from being operated until the required inspections and necessary repairs are completed. Additionally, operators who fail to adhere to this directive may face regulatory action from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Penalties for non-compliance can include fines, enforcement notices, or other administrative actions as deemed appropriate by CASA. The specific penalties are not detailed in the AD itself but are generally aligned with the broader provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations (section 4).