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 550/8 Nitrogen Bottle Installation - Inspection 7/84
Applicability: All models 550 with unit numbers 0002 to 0488 equipped with nitrogen bottles manufactured by H.T.L. Part Number 9912103-3.
Document: Cessna Citation Service Letter SL550-32-24. Compliance: Before further flight after 31 July 1984.
Background: An inspection is required to ensure that an adequate clearance exists at the nitrogen bottle operating lever which might otherwise prevent activation.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), encompass various directives to ensure the safety of aircraft operations, including Part 39 - 105, which focuses on airworthiness directives for specific aircraft models. Among these is AD/CESSNA 550/8, which pertains to the Cessna 550 (Citation II) Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address a safety concern identified in the nitrogen bottle installation of certain Cessna 550 models, specifically those with unit numbers 0002 to 0488, where the nitrogen bottles were manufactured by H.T.L. Part Number 9912103-3. The problem this directive aims to rectify is the potential for inadequate clearance at the nitrogen bottle operating lever, which could prevent activation and thus compromise the aircraft's safety. The policy objective is to mandate an inspection before further flight after 31 July 1984 to ensure compliance with safety standards as outlined in Cessna Citation Service Letter SL550-32-24.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the maintenance and safety standards for civil aircraft within Australia. This regulation applies to all models of Cessna 550 (Citation II) Series Aeroplanes with unit numbers ranging from 0002 to 0488 that are equipped with nitrogen bottles manufactured by H.T.L. Part Number 9912103-3. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for ensuring that these aircraft meet specific safety standards before they can be flown again after 31 July 1984. The inspection focuses on ensuring there is adequate clearance at the nitrogen bottle operating lever, which is crucial to prevent potential issues that could impede the activation of the nitrogen bottle. Failure to adhere to this directive could result in significant safety risks, thereby impacting the operational viability of the aircraft within Australian airspace.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Cessna 550 (Citation II) Series Aeroplanes, specifically addresses the inspection of nitrogen bottle installations in aircraft. According to AD/CESSNA 550/8 (paragraph 7/84), this directive applies to all Cessna 550 models with unit numbers ranging from 0002 to 0488 that are equipped with nitrogen bottles manufactured by H.T.L. with the part number 9912103-3. This requirement became effective before further flight after 31 July 1984, as stipulated in Cessna Citation Service Letter SL550-32-24. The primary objective of this directive is to ensure that there is an adequate clearance at the nitrogen bottle operating lever, which might otherwise prevent its activation. This clearance is critical to maintaining the operational integrity of the aircraft's nitrogen bottle system.
The obligations imposed by this directive necessitate that aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel ensure compliance with the inspection requirements. Specifically, they must verify that the nitrogen bottle operating lever has sufficient clearance to be activated without obstruction. This verification is mandated before any further flight after the effective date of the directive, 31 July 1984. Compliance with this directive is essential to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft, as the nitrogen bottle system is integral to the operation of certain aircraft systems.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in AD/CESSNA 550/8 could result in serious safety implications. The regulations do not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance in this directive; however, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to significant consequences. These may include the grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections and necessary repairs are completed, potential enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and civil liabilities arising from accidents or incidents caused by non-compliance. Ensuring adherence to this directive is therefore crucial to avoid these potential repercussions.