AD/RES/15 - Pacific Scientific Dual Tension Reel Assembly P/Nos 0109101-01, -03, -05, -07 - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia's Parliament, are a comprehensive set of rules governing civil aviation safety. One particular regulation, AD/RES/15, pertains to the modification of Pacific Scientific Dual Tension Reel Assembly P/Nos 0109101-01, -03, -05, and -07 in certain Cessna aircraft applications. This regulation was introduced to address safety concerns with the retraction force of the mechanism cup assembly P/No. 0109255-01, which was found not to meet the required specifications. The policy objective of this regulation is to ensure that the specified modifications are implemented within a specified timeframe to maintain the airworthiness of affected aircraft, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety. The regulation mandates compliance 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 directive is crucial for maintaining the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring that all aircraft meet the necessary safety criteria and are fit for operation. The regulation aims to mitigate risks associated with the identified issue, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the general public from potential hazards arising from non-compliance.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the legislative framework governing airworthiness in Australia, mandate specific safety directives to ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft. One such directive, AD/RES/15, pertains to the Pacific Scientific Dual Tension Reel Assembly P/Nos 0109101-01, -03, -05, and -07, which are used in various Cessna applications. This directive applies to any aircraft equipped with these specific dual tension reel assemblies. Compliance with this directive requires that the modifications detailed in Pacific Scientific S.B. No. 0109101-25-01 be completed 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. This ensures that the mechanism cup assembly P/No. 0109255-01, which is integral to the proper functioning of the dual tension reel assembly, meets the required retraction force specifications, thereby maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft in question. The regulation's jurisdiction is national, enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and it applies across all states and territories within Australia.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, detail the Airworthiness Directives concerning the Pacific Scientific Dual Tension Reel Assembly. These sections mandate that all Pacific Scientific P/Nos. 0109101-01, -03, -05, and -07 applicable to all Cessna applications must comply with the modifications outlined in Pacific Scientific S.B. No. 0109101-25-01 (section 107). Compliance 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 this date, whichever is later (section 107(1)). This directive addresses an issue with the mechanism cup assembly P/No. 0109255-01, which does not have the required retraction force in certain Cessna applications. The obligations imposed by these sections are clear and direct. Aircraft operators must ensure that their maintenance schedules and procedures include compliance with the specified modifications to the Pacific Scientific Dual Tension Reel Assembly. This involves either completing the modifications within the stipulated 100 hours of time in service or adhering to the next scheduled inspection for maintenance release issue, whichever comes later. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, potentially leading to grounding until the necessary modifications are made (section 107(2)). The consequences of non-compliance with these Airworthiness Directives are significant. Breaches of these regulations can lead to civil penalties, including fines, as well as potential criminal charges under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The maximum penalties for non-compliance can include substantial fines and, in serious cases, imprisonment. For instance, under section 96 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, a person found guilty of contravening an airworthiness directive can be fined up to $16,500 for a corporation and $3,300 for an individual, and may also face imprisonment for up to two years. Additionally, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take enforcement actions, such as suspending or cancelling aircraft certificates of airworthiness, which can severely impact an operator's ability to conduct flights (section 107(3)).