Cessna Directive Affects Planes With Over 22,500 Hours

Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) announced Monday operators of Cessna 441 Conquest turboprops have been directed to follow a new manufacturer's life limit on the aircraft type.

Cessna has announced there is an unconditional life limit of 22,500 flying hours on the Cessna Conquest. The manufacturer says it cannot assure the continued safety of the aircraft after the limit is reached.

The potential defect is reportedly in the rear pressure dome, and could lead to inflight structural failure near the empennage.

"It's unfortunate and not something we wanted to do, but in the interest of the safety of people flying on these aircraft we thought we didn't have any choice," CASA Spokesman Peter Gibson told The Age.

CASA's direction means that all Australian Conquests that have reached 22,500 hours must be grounded. Aircraft with less than 22,500 flying hours may continue to operate normally.

Cessna imposed the life limit after reviewing its structural maintenance program for the aircraft and determining that structural problems are likely to develop if the aircraft continues to operate.

A structural maintenance program is in place to manage the safety of the aircraft up to the 22,500 life limit.

CASA's direction to ground the aircraft will be place for one year. During this time avenues will be explored that could extend the safe operation of the Conquest beyond the current life limit.

The direction to ground Conquests with more than 22,500 flying hours came into effect August 24.

FMI: www.casa.gov.au, www.cessna.com