What it does
This instrument is Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 208/19 Amendment 3, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations. It mandates physical modifications to specific Cessna 208 and 208B aeroplanes and compulsory amendments to their Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) and FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). The AD’s operative requirements are set out in six numbered paragraphs, each with its own compliance period. Requirement 1 compels the installation of a pilot assist handle subkit (part number SK208-146-2 or an FAA-approved equivalent) on any aeroplane that will be operated in ground icing conditions, with ground icing conditions defined by reference to the Visual/Tactile Check provisions in the AFM limitations section. Requirement 2 directs the insertion of a specific text block (set out in Appendix 1) after the “OTHER LIMITATIONS” section of the POH/AFM. That inserted text mandates that for operations at airports in ground icing conditions, the aeroplane must be equipped with the pilot assist handle. Requirement 3 applies only to Cessna Model 208B aeroplanes with a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114 engine (600 SHP) or equivalent, that are equipped with a cargo pod and pneumatic de-icing boots. For those aeroplanes, the operator must either install Cessna Accessory Kit AK208-6C per Service Bulletin CAB95-19, or install a placard in view of the pilot stating the aeroplane is prohibited from flight in known or forecast icing. Requirement 4 applies to all other Cessna 208 and 208B aeroplanes equipped with a cargo pod and pneumatic de-icing boots that are not captured by Requirement 3, and offers the same binary choice: install AK208-6C per Service Bulletin CAB93-20 Revision 1, or install the same placard prohibition. Requirement 5 requires inserting the text in Appendix 2 into the “FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ICING” equipment list under “KINDS OF OPERATION LIMITS” in the limitations section of the POH/AFM. Appendix 2 adds two specific items to that equipment list: lower main landing gear leading edge de-ice boots, and a cargo pod nosecap de-ice boot. Requirement 6 mandates deletion of the text in Appendix 3 from the “REQUIRED EQUIPMENT” section of the POH/AFM Supplement S1 “Known Icing Equipment”. The Appendix 3 text describes equipment that is not required for flight into icing but may be installed, and notes that if installed it must be fully operational. The amendment becomes effective on 26 July 2010. The compliance periods differ by requirement: Requirements 1 through 4 must be done within 125 days after the effective date, unless already done; Requirements 5 and 6 must be done before further flight after compliance with Requirement 3(i) or 4(i) (i.e., after installing the AK208-6C kit). The AD expressly states that the requirement to insert the Appendix 1 text into the limitations section (Requirement 2) has a 125-day compliance period. The background section notes that the AD responds to several accidents involving the affected aeroplanes during flight and ground icing operations. The stated purpose is to provide a safe method to detect ice adhering to the upper wing before takeoff, and to reduce in-flight drag by shedding ice on the cargo pod and landing gear fairings. The original issue became effective on 11 May 2006, with Amendments 1 and 2 also effective on 11 May 2006 and 27 September 2006 respectively.