AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Cessna 120 and 140 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 120/1 Cigar Lighter Wiring 3/2003
Applicability: Model 120 and 140 series aeroplanes with serial numbers 8000 through 15075 and 15200 through 15724.
Requirement: If not previously accomplished; disconnect the wire, at the ammeter or at the electrical system bus as applicable, that connects the bus to the cigar lighter receptacle. (The wire is connected to either the bus side or equipment side of a circuit breaker or to the ammeter). Following the disconnection of this wire either:
- Reconnect the wire to the electrical bus by using an existing or newly installed circuit protection device that is properly rated to protect the wire gauge used for this circuit, or
- Disconnect the wire from the lighter receptacle at the opposite end and remove it from the aeroplane, or
c. Protect the wire by insulating its disconnected end, fold this wire end back against the wire bundle in which it is routed and secure it to that bundle.
Note 1: The requirements of this Directive may have been previously accomplished in accordance with FAA AD 79-08-03 Amdt 39-3428.
Note 2: For those installations reconnected in accordance with paragraph a. above, the proper rated circuit protection device to be used may be determined by consulting FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-1B Chapter 11.
Note 3: FAA AD 79-08-03 Amdt 39-3428 refers.
Compliance: At the next annual inspection, but no later that 100 hours time in service or 12 months after the effective date of this Directive, which ever occurs first.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 20 March 2003.
Cessna 120 and 140 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 120/1 (Continued)
Background: Incidents of the cigar lighter unprotected electrical wiring shorting have been reported overseas. This Directive requires either the deactivation of the cigar lighter or the installation of a circuit protection device. These measures are designed to prevent an in- flight electrical system failure, smoke in the cockpit, and/or fire in the wire bundle behind the instrument panel.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 7 February 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 February 2003.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 in 2003 addresses a safety concern related to the wiring of cigar lighters in Cessna 120 and 140 series aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers within certain ranges. This AD was enacted to mitigate the risk of electrical system failures, cockpit smoke, and fires caused by unprotected wiring in the cigar lighter circuit. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued this directive to ensure that aeroplanes meet safety standards and prevent potential hazards that could compromise flight safety. The directive mandates that the wiring connecting the cigar lighter receptacle to the electrical system bus be disconnected and protected or removed, with compliance required by the next annual inspection or within 100 hours of flight time, whichever comes first.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to the Cessna 120 and 140 series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 8000 through 15075 and 15200 through 15724. This legislative instrument mandates that certain actions must be taken to address an unsafe condition identified with the wiring of the cigar lighter receptacles in these aircraft. The directive requires the disconnection of the wire that connects the electrical bus to the cigar lighter receptacle, with subsequent instructions to either reconnect the wire using a properly rated circuit protection device, remove the wire from the aircraft, or insulate the disconnected end and secure it within the wire bundle. This action must be completed within the next annual inspection or 100 hours of service time, whichever comes first, following the directive’s effective date of 20 March 2003. The AD is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, reinforcing the national safety standards managed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 120/1, issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, applies to the Cessna 120 and 140 series aeroplanes with specific serial numbers (s.1). This directive mandates actions to address an unsafe condition concerning the wiring connected to the cigar lighter receptacle. The requirement is that if not previously addressed, the wire connecting the electrical system bus to the cigar lighter receptacle must be disconnected. Following this disconnection, the wire must either be reconnected to the electrical bus with an appropriately rated circuit protection device, disconnected from the lighter receptacle and removed from the aeroplane, or protected by insulating the disconnected end, folding it back, and securing it to the wire bundle (s.2).
The obligations imposed by this AD include the timely disconnection of the specified wire and the subsequent implementation of one of the three outlined measures to ensure safety. The directive also references previous actions that might have satisfied these requirements, as noted in FAA AD 79-08-03 Amdt 39-3428 (Note 1). Furthermore, for installations reconnected according to the directive, the appropriate circuit protection device can be determined by consulting FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-1B Chapter 11 (Note 2). Compliance with this directive must be achieved at the next annual inspection, but no later than 100 hours of time in service or 12 months after the directive’s effective date, whichever comes first (s.3).
The consequences for non-compliance with this AD are significant. While the AD does not explicitly state penalties for failure to comply, non-compliance with ADs generally can lead to severe civil and criminal consequences under Australian aviation law. These may include fines, imprisonment, and the grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are completed. The severity of the penalties reflects the potential risk to flight safety and the importance of adhering to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).