COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 650 (Citation III) Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 650/1 Elevator Balance 1/89 DM
Applicability: All models S/No. 650-0094, 650-0096, 650-0100 to 650-0103, 650-0105 to 650-0107,
650-0117, 650-0120, 650-0123, 650-0125 to 650-0129, 650-0131 to 650-0159,
650-0161 and 650-0162.
Requirement: Remove both elevators and re-balance in accordance with Cessna Alert Service Letter SLA 650-27-20.
Note 1: This Directive restores “Enroute Operational Altitude Limit” to the original Approved Flight Manual limit. (Temporary Flight Manual Amdt A/C650/1 refers).
Note2: FAA AD 88-23-04 refers.
Compliance: Within 100 hours or 60 days time in service after 7 December 1988. Background: Some aircraft may have been manufactured with incorrectly balanced elevators.
Analysis has shown that the incorrect balance may result in a structural dynamic
instability above 45 000 ft.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, represent a comprehensive legislative framework designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this legislation addresses the need for stringent aviation safety standards to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of passengers and crew. The inclusion of specific directives, such as the one concerning the Cessna 650 (Citation III) Series Aeroplanes, underscores the importance of addressing known safety issues promptly. This particular directive, AD/CESSNA 650/1, was introduced to address the identified problem of incorrectly balanced elevators in certain models of the Cessna 650 aircraft series, which could potentially lead to structural dynamic instability at high altitudes. The directive mandates the re-balancing of the elevators in accordance with specific service letters and compliance deadlines, reflecting the policy objective of maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety through regulatory oversight.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, apply to all aviation-related activities within Australian jurisdiction, ensuring compliance with safety standards and operational protocols. Specifically, Part 39 - 105, which pertains to Airworthiness Directives, governs the mandatory compliance requirements for aircraft manufacturers, operators, and maintenance providers to adhere to specific safety directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This particular legislative instrument, AD/CESSNA 650/1, applies to all Cessna 650 (Citation III) series aeroplanes with specific serial numbers listed in the directive. This includes aircraft registered in Australia and operated under Australian law. The directive mandates the removal and rebalancing of elevators on affected models to prevent structural dynamic instability above 45,000 feet, as outlined in the Cessna Alert Service Letter SLA 650-27-20. Compliance must be achieved within 100 flight hours or 60 days of the directive's issuance date, 7 December 1988, with reference to the Federal Aviation Administration’s AD 88-23-04 for further guidance.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the AD/CESSNA 650/1 Airworthiness Directive (AD) (section 1) pertain to the elevator balance of specific Cessna 650 (Citation III) Series aeroplanes. These aircraft, identified by their serial numbers, must have their elevators removed and rebalanced in accordance with Cessna Alert Service Letter SLA 650-27-20. This action is necessary to restore the "Enroute Operational Altitude Limit" to the original limit stated in the Approved Flight Manual. The AD also references a Temporary Flight Manual Amendment A/C650/1 and FAA AD 88-23-04 for further context. The requirement for compliance is to complete the necessary actions within 100 flight hours or within 60 days of time in service after 7 December 1988, whichever comes later.
The AD imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties and entities it governs. Operators of the specified Cessna 650 aircraft must ensure that the elevators of their aeroplanes are inspected and rebalanced if necessary, following the detailed instructions in the referenced Alert Service Letter. This involves a thorough process to verify and correct the elevator balance, which is critical for the aircraft's safety and structural integrity, particularly at higher altitudes. Furthermore, operators must keep accurate records of compliance, ensuring that the rebalancing work is completed within the specified timeframe to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this AD may result in significant consequences. While the AD does not explicitly state penalties, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Potential outcomes include the grounding of the aircraft, fines, and possible criminal charges against the operator or responsible individuals. The severity of the penalties can vary, but they are designed to ensure that all operators adhere to the safety standards set forth by the regulations. CASA has the authority to take necessary action to enforce compliance and ensure the safety of the aircraft and its passengers.