COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Cessna 185 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 185/44 Instrument Panel Light Dimming Rheostat 3/94
Applicability: Cessna Model 185D, 185E and 185F aircraft with serial numbers 185-0777 through 18502310 inclusive.
Requirement: Unless previously accomplished, replace the existing instrument panel light dimming rheostat (some installations will also require the fitting of a doubler) in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Cessna Single Engine Service Bulletin SEB92-33 Revision 2 dated 10 September 1993.
Note: FAA AD 93-24-15 Amdt 39-8764 refers.
Compliance: Prior to 3 October 1994.
Background: The FAA has advised of a report of an inflight fire in a Cessna Model 172.
The fire was caused by a short in the electrical wiring controlled by the instrument panel light dimming rheostat. This Directive requires the rheostat to be replaced with an improved version, which is both current-limiting and heat-protected, thus decreasing the probability of an inflight fire being caused by a defective rheostat.