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 180, 182 and Wren 460 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 180/82 Cigar Lighter Wiring 3/2003
Applicability: Model 180 and 182 series aeroplanes with serial numbers listed in the following table, unless AD/CESSNA 180/32 has been accomplished:
Models Serial Numbers
180 | 30000 through 32999, 50000 through 50355, and 18051608 |
| through 18052770 |
182 | 33000 through 34999, 51001 through 51556, and 18254680 |
| through 18265965 |
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
b. 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 180, 182 and Wren 460 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 180/82 (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.
This Directive supersedes AD/CESSNA 180/32 Amdt 1 which only addressed some Model 182 series aeroplanes.
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 Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CESSNA 180/82 on 3 March 2003 to address the problem of unprotected electrical wiring in the cigar lighter of certain Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 series aeroplanes. This directive applies to specific serial numbers of these models unless a previous AD (AD/CESSNA 180/32) has already been completed. The directive aims to prevent unsafe conditions such as electrical system failures, smoke in the cockpit, and fires by requiring the disconnection of the wire connecting the bus to the cigar lighter receptacle and implementing one of three corrective actions: reconnecting with a properly rated circuit protection device, disconnecting and removing the wire, or insulating and securing the disconnected end of the wire. The directive mandates compliance at the next annual inspection, but no later than 100 hours of service or 12 months after the directive's effective date, whichever comes first. This AD supersedes an earlier directive (AD/CESSNA 180/32) that only addressed some Model 182 series aeroplanes.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to specific models of Cessna 180 and 182 series aeroplanes, namely those with serial numbers listed in the applicability section of the AD. The directive mandates certain actions to address an unsafe condition concerning the wiring of the cigar lighter in these aircraft. The measures prescribed in the AD are aimed at preventing electrical shorting, which could lead to in-flight electrical system failures, smoke in the cockpit, and potential fires. The AD applies to the specified models unless the previous AD/CESSNA 180/32 has already been implemented. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this AD is within the Commonwealth of Australia, as it is issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The AD outlines compliance requirements that must be met during the next annual inspection, but no later than 100 hours of time in service or 12 months after the AD's effective date, whichever comes first. This AD supersedes the earlier AD/CESSNA 180/32 Amdt 1, which only pertained to certain Model 182 series aeroplanes.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (AD/CESSNA 180/82) mandates specific actions to rectify an unsafe condition identified in certain Cessna 180, 182, and Wren 460 series aeroplanes. The AD applies to aircraft with specific serial numbers unless a previous directive, AD/CESSNA 180/32, has already been implemented (section 1). The required action is to disconnect the wire that connects the bus to the cigar lighter receptacle, either at the ammeter or at the electrical system bus. After disconnection, the wire must either be reconnected with a properly rated circuit protection device, disconnected from the lighter receptacle and removed from the aeroplane, or insulated and secured to the wire bundle (section 2). The AD becomes effective on 20 March 2003 and must be complied with by the next annual inspection, but no later than 100 hours of time in service or 12 months from the effective date, whichever comes first (section 3).
The AD imposes clear obligations on the operators and owners of the affected aircraft. They are required to take the specified action to address the unsafe condition, which involves disconnecting the wire connecting the bus to the cigar lighter receptacle. Depending on the chosen method, this may require the installation of a new circuit protection device, the removal of the wire, or the insulation and securing of the wire end (section 2). Operators and owners must ensure compliance with these requirements by the stipulated timeframe, which is either the next annual inspection or 100 hours of flight time, whichever occurs first (section 3).
Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD can result in serious consequences. The AD is designed to prevent in-flight electrical system failures, smoke in the cockpit, and fires in the wire bundle behind the instrument panel. Non-compliance with the AD could lead to such unsafe conditions, potentially resulting in accidents or damage to the aircraft. While specific penalties are not outlined in the AD, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can result in enforcement actions, fines, or other legal consequences as determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The AD serves as a directive to ensure the airworthiness and safety of the affected aircraft (section 4).