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 206 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 206/59 KAP 140 Autopilot System 10/2004
Applicability: Cessna 206H and T206H 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
206H T206H
Serial Numbers
20608001 through 20608183, 20608185, 20608187 and 20608188 T20608001 through T20608039, T20608041 through T20608367, T20608369 through T20608379, T20608381, T20608382 and T20608385
Note 1: The KAP 140 P/Ns listed above are in addition to those listed in AD/CESSNA 206/58 Amdt 2.
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, and Honeywell SB No. KC 140-M1 Rev 2, dated December 2003.
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 206H or T206H 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.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 30 September 2004.
Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CESSNA 206/59 (continued)
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 206/58 Amdt 2. This Directive, whilst not superseding AD/CESSNA 206/58 Amdt 2, 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 Cessna 206 Series Aeroplanes Airworthiness Directive, enacted in 2004 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), was introduced to address the safety issue of inadvertent and undetected engagement of the autopilot system in certain Cessna models, specifically the 206H and T206H. This problem was identified after reports from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that the autopilot system could engage unintentionally, potentially leading to inappropriate pilot actions. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure the safe operation of these aircraft by requiring software updates to the autopilot system to prevent such incidents. This directive complements an earlier FAA directive by including additional part numbers that were previously omitted, thereby enhancing the safety measures for these specific aircraft models.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CASR) pertains specifically to certain Cessna 206H and T206H model aeroplanes equipped with a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot system, identified by specific part numbers and serial ranges. This AD applies to aircraft operators and owners who possess or operate these specified models and must ensure compliance with the outlined requirements to address identified safety concerns. The geographic reach of this directive is national, as it applies throughout Australia under the Commonwealth jurisdiction. The directive mandates software updates to the autopilot system to mitigate the risk of inadvertent autopilot engagement, which could lead to unsafe flight conditions. Compliance with the AD is mandatory for the specified aircraft, with a requirement to install the software update within 100 hours of the directive's effective date. Additionally, the directive prohibits the installation of certain KAP 140 autopilot computer systems as replacement parts unless they have been modified according to the specified requirements. The directive becomes effective on 30 September 2004, and its provisions extend to ensuring that any previously installed software updates comply with the latest revisions specified in the directive.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) applies to specific Cessna 206H and T206H model aeroplanes equipped with certain Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer systems (sections 2 and 3). These include aircraft with part numbers 065-00176-2501, 065-00176-5001, 065-00176-5101, or 065-00176-5201, and serial numbers within the specified ranges. The AD mandates that the KC 140 autopilot computer system software must be updated to prevent inadvertent engagement of the autopilot system. This update must be installed within 100 hours of the AD's effective date, which is 30 September 2004, and must follow specific Honeywell and Cessna service bulletins. Additionally, any replacement of the KC 140 autopilot computer system must be a modified unit as per the requirements outlined in the AD.
The AD imposes specific obligations on aircraft operators, including the requirement to ensure that the software update is performed in accordance with the Honeywell Installation Bulletin No. 491, Rev. 4, and Cessna Service Bulletin SB02-22-01. Operators must also ensure that any replacement KC 140 autopilot computer system installed on affected Cessna 206H and T206H aeroplanes has undergone the specified modifications. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy and potentially grounding the aircraft.
The AD does not explicitly state specific penalties for non-compliance; however, under CASR, failure to comply with an Airworthiness Directive can result in severe consequences. These may include enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), potential grounding of the aircraft, and civil or criminal penalties. The severity of the penalties would depend on the extent and impact of the non-compliance on the safety of the aircraft. In extreme cases, persistent non-compliance could lead to the suspension or revocation of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate.