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 CASR 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 170, 172, F172, FR172 and 175 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 170/73 KAP 140 Autopilot System 2/2004
Applicability: Cessna 172R and 172S model aeroplanes listed below that are equipped with a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer system, part number (P/N) 065-00176-2602, 065-00176-5402 or 065-00176-7702.
Model Serial Numbers
172R
172S
17280001 through 17281073, 17281075 through 17281127 and
17281130
172S8001 through 172S9195, 172S9197, 172S9198 and 172S9200
through 172S9203
Requirement: 1. Unless previously accomplished, install and update the KC 140 autopilot computer system operating software in accordance with Honeywell Service Bulletin KC 140-M1 dated August 2002, as specified in Cessna Service Bulletin SB02-22-01 dated 25 November 2002.
2. Following Requirement 1 software installation, re-identify the KC-140 unit as follows:
- Change the unit part number by attaching flavour sticker, P/N 057-02203- 0003, on the unit's serial tag;
b. Attach an M decal, P/N 057-02984-0501, in front of the unit’s serial number (this indicates that the unit's P/N has been changed); and
c. Attach a software mod tag, P/N 057-05287-0301, in place of the old tag to indicate the software change to SW MOD 03/01.
3. KC 140 autopilot computer systems P/Ns 065-00176-2602, 065-00176-5402 and 065-00176-7702 may not be installed on any Cessna Model 172R or 172S aeroplanes as a replacement part unless the computer has been modified as specified in Requirements 1 and 2 of this Directive.
Note: FAA AD 2003-24-13 Amdt 39-13382 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Within 100 hours time in service after the effective date of this Directive.
Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172 and 175 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 170/73 (continued)
For Requirement 2 - Before further flight after installing the update to the KC 140 autopilot computer system operating software.
For Requirement 3 - As of the effective date of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 19 February 2004.
Background: The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received reports of inadvertent and undetected engagement of the autopilot system in Cessna Models 172R, 172S, 182S, 182T, T182T, 206H, and T206H aeroplanes. These aeroplanes are equipped with a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer system installed in the centre instrument control panel near the throttle.
This Directive requires the installation of an update to the operating software of the KAP 140 autopilot computer system, a change to the unit's part number and change of the software modification identification tag. These actions prevent unintentional engagement of the KAP 140 autopilot computer system, which could cause the pilot to take inappropriate actions.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 7 January 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 28 January 2004.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 targets specific Cessna 172R and 172S model aeroplanes equipped with a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer system. This legislation was enacted to address safety concerns regarding the inadvertent engagement of the autopilot system, which could lead to the pilot taking inappropriate actions. The directive was issued by David Villiers, a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on 7 January 2004, and published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 28 January 2004. The primary objective of this AD is to enhance the safety of the specified aircraft models by requiring the installation of an updated autopilot system software, a change in the unit's part number, and a modification to the software identification tag, thereby preventing unintentional engagement of the autopilot system.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 170/73 issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Cessna 172R and 172S model aeroplanes that are equipped with a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer system, identified by specific part numbers. The directive mandates the installation and update of the KC 140 autopilot computer system operating software and the re-identification of the unit through various modifications to prevent inadvertent and undetected engagement of the autopilot system. This requirement must be carried out within 100 hours of the directive's effective date of 19 February 2004. The directive's scope is limited to the specified serial numbers of the Cessna 172R and 172S models and does not extend to other models or part numbers unless they have been modified in accordance with the directive. This Airworthiness Directive is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 170/73 issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) mandates specific actions to ensure the safe operation of certain Cessna aeroplanes equipped with the Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer system (section 1). Specifically, it applies to Cessna 172R and 172S model aeroplanes with specific serial numbers and particular autopilot computer systems identified by certain part numbers (section 2). The directive outlines the necessary actions to address an identified unsafe condition concerning the autopilot system.
The AD imposes several obligations on the operators of affected aeroplanes. Firstly, it requires the installation and update of the KC 140 autopilot computer system's operating software in accordance with Honeywell Service Bulletin KC 140-M1 dated August 2002 and Cessna Service Bulletin SB02-22-01 dated 25 November 2002 (section 3(a)). Following the software update, operators must re-identify the KC-140 unit by altering its part number with a specific flavour sticker, attaching an M decal in front of the unit’s serial number, and replacing the software modification identification tag (section 3(b)-(c)). Additionally, it prohibits the installation of specific KC 140 autopilot computer systems as a replacement part unless they have been modified as per the directive's requirements (section 3(d)). Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within specified timeframes: the software update must occur within 100 hours of the directive's effective date, while the re-identification must be completed before further flight after the software update (section 4).
Failure to comply with the AD's requirements may lead to significant consequences. The directive does not explicitly state penalties, but non-compliance could result in the aeroplane being deemed unairworthy. This could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), including fines, suspension or revocation of the aeroplane's certificate of airworthiness, and potential legal action. The specific penalties would be determined by CASA in accordance with the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations. The directive's strict compliance deadlines underscore the importance of adhering to the specified requirements to ensure air safety.