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 170/74 KAP 140 Autopilot System 10/2004
Applicability: Cessna 172 R and 172S model aeroplanes listed below that are equipped with a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer system, part number (P/N) 065-00176-2501, 065-00176-5001, 065-00176-5101 or 065-00176-5201, all serial numbers.
Model
172R
172S
Serial Numbers
17280001 through 17281073, 17281075 through 17281127 and
17281130
172S8001 through 172S9195, 172S9197, 172S9198 and 172S9200
through 172S9203
Note 1: The KAP 140 P/Ns listed above are in addition to those listed in AD/CESSNA 170/73
Requirement: 1. Install the update to the KC 140 autopilot computer system operating software by following Honeywell Installation Bulletin No. 491, Rev. 3, dated April 2003; Cessna Service Bulletin (SB) SB02-22-01, dated 25 November 2002 and Honeywell SB No. KC 140-M1, dated August 2002.
2. KC 140 autopilot computer systems P/Ns 065-00176-2501, 065-00176-5001, 065-00176-5101 or 065-00176-5201 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 of this Directive.
Note 2: FAA AD 2004-15-18 Amdt 39-13752 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Within 100 hours time in service after the effective date of this Directive.
For Requirement 2 - As of the effective date of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 30 September 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.
Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172 and 175 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 170/74 (continued)
However, when issuing AD 2003-24-13 the FAA inadvertently omitted four part numbers from the applicability that was reflected in AD/CESSNA 170/73. This Directive, whilst not superseding AD/CESSNA 170/73, complements that Directive by listing the omitted KAP 140 autopilot computer system part numbers.
This Directive requires the installation of an update to the operating software of the KAP 140 autopilot computer system. This action is intended to prevent unintentional engagement of the KAP 140 autopilot computer system, which could cause the pilot to take inappropriate actions.
Gary J Carr
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 13 August 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 8 September 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Airworthiness Directive (AD) No. 74, enacted in 2004, addresses the issue of inadvertent and undetected engagement of the autopilot system in certain Cessna aeroplanes. This AD was issued to ensure compliance with the requirements set out in the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, as delegated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The primary objective of this AD is to enhance the safety of aircraft operations by preventing unintentional engagement of the KAP 140 autopilot computer system, which could result in pilots taking inappropriate actions. This is achieved by requiring the installation of an update to the operating software of the autopilot system for specific models of Cessna 172 aeroplanes equipped with the Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer system. The AD complements an earlier directive, AD/CESSNA 170/73, by including additional part numbers that were inadvertently omitted in the original applicability.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies specifically to certain Cessna 172R and 172S model aeroplanes equipped with a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer system with certain part numbers and serial numbers. The directive mandates the installation of an update to the KAP 140 autopilot computer system operating software to prevent inadvertent and undetected engagement of the autopilot system, which could lead to unsafe conditions. The AD requires compliance within a specified timeframe after the effective date and also stipulates that certain part numbers of the KAP 140 autopilot computer system may not be installed on any Cessna Model 172R or 172S aeroplanes as a replacement part unless they have been modified as specified in the directive. This AD extends to the Commonwealth of Australia and is published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the text of this specific AD, although compliance and enforcement may be further detailed in subordinate instruments or other regulatory guidance.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) applies to specific models of Cessna 172 R and 172S aeroplanes equipped with a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer system. The applicable part numbers for the autopilot systems are 065-00176-2501, 065-00176-5001, 065-00176-5101, or 065-00176-5201, and the applicable serial numbers are detailed in the AD. This AD requires the installation of an update to the KC 140 autopilot computer system's operating software. This update must be performed in accordance with Honeywell Installation Bulletin No. 491, Rev. 3, dated April 2003; Cessna Service Bulletin (SB) SB02-22-01, dated 25 November 2002; and Honeywell SB No. KC 140-M1, dated August 2002. Additionally, KC 140 autopilot computer systems with the specified part numbers may not be installed as a replacement part unless they have been modified as per the requirements outlined in this directive.
This AD imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Firstly, operators of the specified Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172, and 175 Series aeroplanes must ensure that the update to the KC 140 autopilot computer system's operating software is installed within 100 hours of time in service after the effective date of this directive. Secondly, the AD requires that KC 140 autopilot computer systems with the specified part numbers are not installed as a replacement part unless they have been modified according to the requirements of this directive. Compliance with these obligations is essential to address the identified safety concern and prevent inadvertent and undetected engagement of the autopilot system, which could lead to unsafe flight conditions.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this AD may result in various consequences. While the specific legal penalties or consequences for non-compliance are not detailed in the text, it is likely that non-compliance could result in the aeroplane being deemed unairworthy. This would mean that the aeroplane could not be operated until the necessary actions were taken to meet the requirements of the AD. Additionally, non-compliance with ADs is generally considered a breach of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, which could result in enforcement action by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Potential consequences could include fines, enforcement notices, or other regulatory action to ensure compliance with the AD.