{"id":"F2006B05199","name":"AD/CESSNA 205/15 - Fuel Cap Alignment Placard","slug":"ad-cessna-205-15-fuel-cap-alignment-placard","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":45396,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05199-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/CESSNA 205/15 - Fuel Cap Alignment Placard","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\nmeta-generator: Aspose.Words for .NET 22.10.0\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n \n\n![](image.001.png)  Cessna 205 (210-5) Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/CESSNA 205/15 Fuel Cap Alignment Placard 9/80\n\nApplicability: Model 205 with S/Nos. 641 and 205-0001 to 205-0577. Requirement:  Action in accordance with Cessna SIL No. SE 80-59.\n\nCompliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 September 1980.\n\n \n\nBackground: Correct alignment of flush fitting type fuel caps is essential for efficient operation of the fuel tank secondary vent system.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive’s scope, as expressed in the instrument, is to require owners/operators of the listed Cessna 205 serial numbers to perform the action prescribed in Cessna SIL No. SE 80-59 within 100 hours TIS after 30 September 1980 to ensure correct alignment of flush-fitting fuel caps for the fuel tank secondary vent system. The text provided does not indicate any change from that stated purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability: affects a specific model and limited serial-number range (Applicability).","Short, fixed compliance window tied to flight hours (Compliance).","Procedural detail is delegated to a manufacturer's Service Instruction Letter (SIL No. SE 80-59), requiring cross-reference to an external document (Requirement).","Clear and single technical objective (fuel cap alignment) with an explicit stated safety rationale (Background)."],"plain_english_summary":"What this instrument does (mechanics)\n\n- This airworthiness directive (AD/CESSNA 205/15 — \"Fuel Cap Alignment Placard\") requires owners/operators of certain Cessna 205 aeroplanes to carry out the action set out in Cessna Service Instruction Letter (SIL) No. SE 80-59. (Requirement)\n- It applies only to Cessna Model 205 aeroplanes with serial numbers 641 and 205-0001 through 205-0577. (Applicability)\n- The required action must be completed within 100 hours time in service after 30 September 1980. (Compliance)\n\nWho is affected\n\n- The directive binds the owners/operators of the specified Cessna 205 serial numbers. The AD delegates the procedural detail to Cessna's SIL No. SE 80-59, so the aircraft operator must follow that manufacturer's instruction. (Applicability; Requirement)\n\nWhy it matters (official rationale and how that operates)\n\n- The AD states the safety reason: correct alignment of flush-fitting fuel caps is essential for efficient operation of the fuel tank secondary vent system. (Background)\n- Mechanically, the AD compels a particular inspection/installation/marking action (referred to in the SIL) to ensure fuel caps are aligned as intended. The AD itself does not print the step-by-step procedure; it mandates compliance with the manufacturer's SIL. (Requirement)\n\nWho pays, who decides, and what behaviour changes\n\n- Owners/operators of the affected aircraft pay for whatever inspection, adjustment, placard or parts work the SIL requires. (Applicability; Requirement)\n- The Civil Aviation Authority issues the AD; the detailed method of compliance is specified by the manufacturer (Cessna) via SIL No. SE 80-59, so the operator follows that instruction. (Requirement)\n- Behaviour changes: operators must schedule and complete the specified work within the stated compliance window (100 hours TIS after 30 September 1980). Recordkeeping and any follow-up required by the SIL or the operator’s maintenance program will also be incumbent on the operator. (Compliance; Requirement)\n\nTrade-offs, compliance burden and implementation notes\n\n- The AD reduces regulatory detail by delegating the technical steps to the manufacturer's SIL; this concentrates technical discretion with Cessna while preserving the regulator’s enforcement power through the AD. (Requirement)\n- The concrete compliance burden is time and cost borne by each affected owner/operator: an inspection/adjustment and any placard installation or parts changes that SIL No. SE 80-59 prescribes. (Requirement)\n- The AD sets a fixed compliance window (100 hours TIS after 30 September 1980). That deadline creates a scheduling constraint for operators of affected aircraft. (Compliance)\n- The stated safety benefit (improved efficiency of the secondary vent system) is the rationale given in the AD; the directive implements that aim by mandating the SIL procedure. (Background; Requirement)\n\nReference to source sections: Applicability; Requirement; Compliance; Background."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, time-bound safety directive from 1980 addressing a specific technical issue (fuel cap alignment) on a specific aircraft model. It has not expanded beyond its original narrow purpose. The document represents the complete regulatory instrument as issued."},"complexity_factors":["Extremely short document (under 150 words of substantive content)","Only 4 defined elements: applicability (specific serial numbers), requirement (reference to external document), compliance deadline, and background rationale","No nested conditional logic or exceptions","Single cross-reference to external technical document (Cessna SIL No. SE 80-59) — the actual work instructions are contained there, not in this instrument","No interpretation section, no defined terms, no penalty provisions, no dispute resolution mechanisms","Linear structure: applicability → requirement → compliance → background"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this is:** This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Think of it like a compulsory recall notice, but for aircraft instead of cars.\n\n**What it requires:** Owners and operators of specific Cessna 205 model aeroplanes must install a **placard** (a warning label) near the fuel caps. This label reminds pilots and ground crew to align the flush-fitting fuel caps correctly when closing them.\n\n**Why it matters:** If these fuel caps aren't aligned properly, the fuel tank's **secondary vent system** (a backup breathing system that prevents pressure build-up or vacuum in the fuel tank) won't work properly. This could lead to fuel flow problems, engine stalling, or in worst cases, fuel leaks or structural damage.\n\n**Who must comply:** Anyone operating a Cessna 205 with serial numbers 641, or 205-0001 through 205-0577. They had to complete this fix within 100 hours of flying time after 30 September 1980, following the specific instructions in Cessna Service Information Letter SE 80-59.\n\n**The bottom line:** A simple sticker requirement to prevent potentially serious fuel system problems caused by human error when refuelling or inspecting the aircraft."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-205-15-fuel-cap-alignment-placard","history":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-205-15-fuel-cap-alignment-placard/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-205-15-fuel-cap-alignment-placard/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-205-15-fuel-cap-alignment-placard/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-205-15-fuel-cap-alignment-placard/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-205-15-fuel-cap-alignment-placard/documents"}}