AD/CESSNA 650/4 - Thrust Reverser Throttle Load Limiter

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, form a critical part of Australia's regulatory framework for ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation. This legislative instrument, specifically Part 39 - 105, targets the maintenance and airworthiness of aircraft by issuing safety directives that must be adhered to by aircraft operators. One such directive, AD/CESSNA 650/4, pertains to the Cessna 650 (Citation III) Series Aeroplanes and mandates modifications to the thrust reverser throttle load limiter to prevent issues such as reduced power control authority. The directive was enacted to address a specific incident where the activation of the spring-loaded limiter during thrust reverser transition compromised the aircraft's power control, thereby enhancing flight safety. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as the enforcing body under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, issues these airworthiness directives to mitigate risks associated with aircraft operations. The policy objective behind AD/CESSNA 650/4 is to ensure that all Cessna 650 aircraft within the specified serial number range comply with the modifications outlined in Cessna Service Bulletin 650-78-05 Rev 1, with compliance required within 150 hours of time in service after 24 June 1993. This directive reflects the ongoing commitment to maintaining high safety standards in the aviation sector by addressing identified hazards proactively.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, pertain to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and govern the airworthiness directives for aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia. Specifically, the regulation in question, AD/CESSNA 650/4, applies to the Cessna 650 (Citation III) Series Aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from -0001 to -0217. This directive mandates the modification of the thrust reverser throttle load limiter in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin 650-78-05, Revision 1, referencing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 93-05-15. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 150 hours of time in service after 24 June 1993, following an incident where an attempt to advance the throttle control levers during thrust reverser transition led to the activation of a spring-loaded limiter device, subsequently causing severely reduced power control authority. This regulation underscores CASA's commitment to ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft within its jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The primary provision of AD/CESSNA 650/4 (part of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Schedule of Airworthiness Directives) concerns the modification of thrust reverser throttle load limiters on Cessna 650 (Citation III) Series Aeroplanes with serial numbers from -0001 to -0217 (Section 1). This directive mandates that the specified aircraft must be modified according to Cessna Service Bulletin (SB) 650-78-05 Rev 1 to address a known issue with the thrust reverser system. This action is required to ensure the safe operation of the aircraft by mitigating the risk of power control authority being compromised due to the activation of the spring-loaded limiter device during thrust reverser transition (Section 2). The modification must be completed within 150 hours of time in service after 24 June 1993 to ensure compliance with the directive (Section 3). The obligations imposed on the operators or owners of the affected Cessna 650 Series Aeroplanes include conducting the required modification as per Cessna SB 650-78-05 Rev 1. This involves ensuring that the modifications are performed by qualified personnel and that the aircraft is properly maintained and documented to reflect compliance with the airworthiness directive. The operators must also ensure that the modifications are completed within the specified timeframe of 150 hours of time in service after the date of the directive, 24 June 1993 (Section 4). Additionally, operators must maintain records of the modifications, including documentation of the work performed and the date of completion, to demonstrate compliance with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) requirements. Failure to comply with the AD/CESSNA 650/4 directive can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to enforce compliance and may take action against operators who fail to adhere to the specified requirements. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions, including the issuance of a Notice of Proposed Civil Penalty (NOCP), which can result in significant financial penalties. Additionally, continued operation of an aircraft that does not comply with applicable airworthiness directives can lead to more severe penalties, including fines and potential criminal charges. The maximum penalties for such breaches can be substantial, reflecting the serious nature of ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft (Section 5).