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 180, 182 and Wren 460 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 180/84 KAP 140 Autopilot System 10/2004
Applicability: Cessna 182S, 182T and T182T 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
182S
182T T182T
Serial Numbers
18280001 through 18280944
18280945 through 18281065, 18281067 through 18281145,
18281147 through 18281163, 18281165 through 18281167 and
18281172
T18208001 through T18208109 and T18208111 through T18208177
Note 1: The KAP 140 P/Ns listed above are in addition to those listed in
AD/CESSNA 180/83.
Requirement: 1. If not previously accomplished, install the update to the KC 140 autopilot computer system operating software by following Honeywell Installation Bulletin (IB) No. 491, Rev. 4, dated December 2003; Cessna Service Bulletin
(SB) SB02-22-01, dated 25 November 2002, Honeywell SB No. KC 140-M1 Rev 2, dated December 2003 and Cessna Single Engine SB SB98-22-01 dated 18 May 1998.
Software updates accomplished in accordance with earlier revisions of IB 491 or SB KC 140-M1, before the effective date of the Directive, are considered acceptable for compliance with this Requirement.
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 182S, 182T or T182T aeroplanes as a replacement part unless the computer has been modified as specified in Requirement 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.
Cessna 180, 182 and Wren 460 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 180/84 (continued)
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.
However, when issuing AD 2003-24-13 the FAA inadvertently omitted four part numbers from the applicability that was reflected in AD/CESSNA 180/83. This Directive, whilst not superseding AD/CESSNA 180/83, 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 16 August 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 8 September 2004.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive AD/CESSNA 180/84 was enacted in 2004 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The directive addresses a safety issue identified in certain Cessna 182S, 182T, and T182T model aeroplanes equipped with a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot system, where there were reports of inadvertent and undetected engagement of the autopilot. The problem arose from specific part numbers of the autopilot system that were not covered in an earlier directive, AD/CESSNA 180/83. This additional directive was necessary to ensure comprehensive coverage and to mandate the installation of an updated operating software to the autopilot system to prevent unintended engagement, which could potentially lead to unsafe pilot actions. The policy objective of this directive is to enhance aviation safety by ensuring all affected aircraft comply with the updated software requirements.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) 1998 applies specifically to certain models of Cessna 182S, 182T and T182T aeroplanes that are equipped with a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer system, identified by specific part numbers and serial number ranges. The directive aims to rectify an unsafe condition concerning the inadvertent and undetected engagement of the autopilot system, which could potentially lead to inappropriate pilot actions. This AD is not intended to supersede but rather to complement another directive, AD/CESSNA 180/83, by including additional part numbers that were omitted in the previous directive. The compliance with the directive is mandatory for the specified aircraft models and must be carried out within 100 hours of time in service after the directive's effective date, with some actions required immediately upon the directive's issuance. This directive extends across the Commonwealth of Australia and is applicable to aircraft registered within Australian jurisdiction, reinforcing the national commitment to aviation safety standards.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) pertains specifically to Cessna 182S, 182T, and T182T model aeroplanes equipped with a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer system (section 1). The directive applies to these aircraft models if they are fitted with a specific range of part numbers for the KAP 140 autopilot computer system and fall within particular serial number ranges (section 2). The directive is effective as of 30 September 2004.
The main requirement of this directive is the installation of an update to the KAP 140 autopilot computer system operating software (section 3). This update must be installed within 100 hours of the directive's effective date unless it has already been completed in accordance with earlier versions of specified installation bulletins. Additionally, KAP 140 autopilot computer systems with the listed part numbers cannot be installed as a replacement part unless they have been modified as specified in the directive (section 3).
The AD imposes several obligations on the relevant parties. Owners and operators of the affected Cessna models must ensure that the software update is installed within the specified timeframe and that any replacement parts adhere to the directive's requirements (section 3). Additionally, any modifications or installations must follow the instructions provided in the relevant service bulletins and installation guides (section 3).
Failure to comply with the requirements of the AD may result in civil or criminal penalties. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the AD, non-compliance with CASA directives can lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. It is essential for operators to adhere to the AD to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft and avoid legal repercussions (section 5).