{"id":"F2006B05238","name":"AD/CESSNA 206/33 - Fuel Cap Alignment Placard","slug":"ad-cessna-206-33-fuel-cap-alignment-placard","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":45534,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05238-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/CESSNA 206/33 - 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 206 Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/CESSNA 206/33 Fuel Cap Alignment Placard 9/80\n\nApplicability: Model 206 with S/Nos. 206-0001 to 206-0275.\n\n \n\nModels U206 and TU206 with S/Nos. U206-0276 to U206-1444 and U20601445 to U20605522.\n\n \n\nModels P206 and TP206 with S/Nos. P206-0001 to P206-0603 and P20600604 to P20600647.\n\n \n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with Cessna SIL No. SE 80-59. Compliance:  Within 100 hours time in service after 30 September 1980.\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","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, single-issue airworthiness directive from 1980 addressing a specific safety concern (fuel cap alignment). It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating a placard installation for specific Cessna 206 variants."},"complexity_factors":["Extremely short document (under 200 words)","Only 4 defined elements: applicability by model/serial number, requirement reference, compliance deadline, and background explanation","Single straightforward obligation with clear external reference (Cessna SIL No. SE 80-59)","No nested conditions, exceptions, or cross-references to other legislation","Binary applicability test (serial number ranges) — easy to determine if aircraft is affected"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — essentially a mandatory safety notice issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for specific aircraft.\n\n**What it does:**\nRequires owners and operators of certain **Cessna 206 series aeroplanes** to install a placard (a warning label) about proper fuel cap alignment. The directive references a specific Cessna Service Information Letter (SIL No. SE 80-59) that contains the detailed instructions.\n\n**Who it affects:**\nOwners and operators of Cessna 206, U206, TU206, P206, and TP206 models with specific serial numbers — essentially early production models of these aircraft (roughly 1962–1980 manufacture).\n\n**Why it matters:**\nIf the flush-fitting fuel caps aren't aligned correctly, the fuel tank's **secondary vent system** won't work properly. This could lead to fuel starvation, engine failure, or fuel leaks — all serious safety risks in flight.\n\n**What must be done:**\n- Install the alignment placard as per Cessna's instructions\n- Complete this within **100 hours of flight time** after 30 September 1980\n\n**Key point:** This is a **retrospective safety fix** — it applies to aircraft already in service, not just new ones."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument sets a targeted requirement for a defined set of Cessna 206-series aircraft identified by serial number and mandates action per Cessna SIL No. SE 80-59 within a specified time window. The text contains no indication that the scope has been altered from an earlier version; it defines the scope plainly in the Applicability section and limits action to the measure described in the cited SIL."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow technical focus (fuel-cap alignment placard) reducing substantive complexity","Cross-reference to an external document (Cessna SIL No. SE 80-59) requires obtaining and following another source for procedural detail","Precise applicability by serial-number ranges requires record checks for each aircraft","Fixed compliance deadline (100 hours TIS after 30 September 1980) imposes scheduling and tracking requirements","Legal form (Airworthiness Directive) creates mandatory obligation despite concise content"],"plain_english_summary":"What this instrument requires, mechanically\n\n- This is an Airworthiness Directive (an item in the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations) that applies to specified Cessna 206-series aeroplanes (see the Applicability list). (Header; Applicability)\n- It requires the operator/owner to carry out the action set out in Cessna Service Instruction Letter No. SE 80-59. The AD’s title — “Fuel Cap Alignment Placard” — and its Requirement paragraph mean the mandated action is to implement the measure described in that Cessna SIL. (Requirement)\n- The work must be completed within 100 hours time in service after 30 September 1980. (Compliance)\n- The Background paragraph states the purpose claimed by the issuer: correct alignment of flush-fitting fuel caps is essential for efficient operation of the fuel tank secondary vent system. (Background)\n\nWho this affects and who pays\n\n- Affected parties are owners/operators of the Cessna 206, U206/TU206, and P206/TP206 aeroplanes identified by the serial-number ranges in the Applicability section. (Applicability)\n- The operator/owner is the decision-maker required to arrange compliance and therefore will bear the direct costs: obtaining any placard(s), parts or materials specified in the SIL, and labour to perform the action or to engage a maintenance organisation to do it. (Requirement; Compliance)\n\nWhat behaviour changes and why\n\n- Operators must locate affected aircraft (by serial number), obtain and follow Cessna SIL No. SE 80-59, and complete the specified action within the stated time window. This changes routine maintenance scheduling and imposes a one-off compliance task on affected aircraft. (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance)\n\nCompliance obligations, discretion and implementation risk\n\n- The AD mandates compliance with an external document (Cessna SIL No. SE 80-59). The operator must obtain that SIL and follow it exactly; the AD itself does not reproduce the SIL’s procedures. That creates a dependence on an external technical instruction for the detailed steps. (Requirement)\n- The Compliance paragraph fixes a deadline (100 hours TIS after 30 Sept 1980). That creates a scheduling constraint for operators and maintenance providers. (Compliance)\n- The AD states the technical rationale (fuel-cap alignment affects the secondary vent system) but leaves interpretation and method to the referenced SIL; technical judgement and workmanship are therefore exercised by maintenance personnel following the SIL. (Background; Requirement)\n\nMarket and operational effects (mechanics, not value judgments)\n\n- The measure imposes a small, targeted compliance cost on a defined group of aircraft owners/operators (those with the listed serial numbers). (Applicability; Requirement)\n- The action is narrow in scope (a placard/alignment action as described by the SIL), so it does not alter aircraft ownership, operating certificates, or broad regulatory status; it requires a maintenance/installation action within an identified compliance window. (Requirement; Compliance)\n- Because the AD cross-references a manufacturer-issued SIL, independent maintenance organisations can perform the work provided they follow the SIL; the AD does not itself limit who may carry out the work, but execution must match the SIL’s requirements. (Requirement)\n\nTrade-offs, opportunity costs and concentration of effects\n\n- Benefits (as stated) are operational: ensuring proper venting via correct fuel-cap alignment. (Background)\n- Costs fall directly and narrowly on owners/operators of the listed serial-number aircraft in the form of parts/labour and scheduling effort. (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance)\n- The AD’s mechanism (mandating action by reference to a SIL) concentrates detailed procedural authority in the manufacturer’s instruction while imposing legal compliance obligations on aircraft operators. (Requirement)\n\nPractical next steps for an affected operator\n\n- Check the aircraft serial number against the Applicability list. (Applicability)\n- Obtain Cessna SIL No. SE 80-59 and determine the exact steps, parts, and labour required. (Requirement)\n- Schedule and complete the action within 100 hours TIS after 30 September 1980 or, if already past that date, as soon as practicable consistent with regulatory enforcement practice. (Compliance)\n\nSections cited: Header (Schedule of Airworthiness Directives); Applicability; Requirement (Cessna SIL No. SE 80-59); Compliance (100 hours TIS after 30 September 1980); Background."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-206-33-fuel-cap-alignment-placard","history":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-206-33-fuel-cap-alignment-placard/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-206-33-fuel-cap-alignment-placard/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-206-33-fuel-cap-alignment-placard/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-206-33-fuel-cap-alignment-placard/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-206-33-fuel-cap-alignment-placard/documents"}}