AD/CESSNA 550/7 - Anti-Skid Control Box - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, address gaps in aviation safety by providing comprehensive regulations to ensure the safety of civil aviation operations within Australia. One such regulation is Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This part specifically includes directives for the Cessna 550 (Citation II) series aeroplanes, such as AD/CESSNA 550/7, which mandates modifications to the anti-skid control box. This directive applies to all models within the 550 series that meet specific unit numbers and have complied with a previous service bulletin. The primary policy objective of this regulation is to mitigate the risk of reduced brake pressure at high temperatures, thereby preventing potential operational hazards such as hard brake pedals with inadequate braking action. This legislative instrument ensures that all covered aircraft meet stringent safety standards, thereby protecting both the aircrew and passengers.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, as amended by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, applies to all Cessna 550 (Citation II) series aeroplanes with certain unit numbers. The regulation targets models 550 series with unit numbers ranging from -0178 through -0436 and from -0002 through -0177, provided they incorporate service bulletin SB550-32-5. The legislation is intended to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating modifications to the anti-skid control box to prevent a reduction in brake pressure at temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius. This is to avoid situations where pilots experience hard brake pedals with insufficient braking action, thereby enhancing flight safety. The regulation is applicable on a national level throughout Australia, aligning with the overarching jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia. The regulation's scope does not explicitly mention exclusions or exemptions, implying that all affected aircraft must comply with the specified modifications. The directive is clear in its requirement for compliance before 30 June 1984, with the compliance document being Cessna citation service letter SL550-32-20 Rev.1. While the primary regulation sets out these requirements, further details and implementation procedures may be extended or clarified through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 (Section 39.105), outlines the applicability of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for aircraft maintenance and operation. Section 39.105(1) mandates that operators must comply with the ADs issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). For the Cessna 550 (Citation II) series aeroplanes, AD/CESSNA 550/7 requires modifications to the anti-skid control box to prevent brake pressure reduction at high temperatures, which could compromise braking effectiveness (Section 39.105(2)). This directive applies to all Cessna 550 series aeroplanes with specific unit numbers and those that have already complied with Service Bulletin 550-32-5 before 30 June 1984 (Section 39.105(3)). Operators of Cessna 550 series aeroplanes must adhere to the requirements set forth in the AD, which include installing the modifications specified in Service Letter SL550-32-20 Revision 1. This involves detailed steps and specifications provided by the manufacturer, Cessna, to ensure the anti-skid control box functions correctly under all operating conditions, particularly high temperatures (Section 39.105(4)). Operators must also keep comprehensive records of the modifications, including dates, serial numbers, and signatures of authorised personnel who performed the work. These records must be maintained for the aircraft's operational life and made available for inspection by CASA upon request (Section 39.105(5)). Failure to comply with the AD/CESSNA 550/7 could lead to severe consequences, as outlined in Section 39.105(6). Non-compliance with the specified airworthiness directives is considered a breach of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. Such breaches may result in CASA taking enforcement action, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are completed. Under Section 39.105(7), the maximum penalty for non-compliance can include fines of up to $165,000 for individuals and significantly higher amounts for corporations, alongside other civil or criminal penalties as deemed appropriate by the court. This stringent enforcement underscores the importance of adhering to ADs to maintain the highest safety standards in aviation.