Instruments and Automatic Pilots
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.
AD/INST/44 KAP 140 and KFC 225 Autopilot Systems 5/2000 DM
Applicability: Honeywell KAP 140 or KFC 225 autopilot system and incorporating autopilot servo actuators referenced in the Honeywell service information and the table presented below.
Note 1: AlliedSignal Avionics Inc. manufactured the KAP 140 and KFC 225 autopilot systems before transferring the design data to Honeywell.
Service Bulletin No | Date | Applicability |
SB KS 270C-4 ALERT Revision 1 | February 2000 | KS 270C Pitch Servo Actuators, part number (P/N) 065-00178-XXXX (all versions), serial numbers (S/N) 2701 and below. |
SB KS 271C-5 ALERT Revision 1 | February 2000 | KS 271C Primary Servo Actuators, P/N 065-00179-XXXX (all versions), S/N 4201, 4158 through 4148, and 4103 and below. |
SB KS 272C-4 ALERT Revision 2 | February 2000 | KS 272C Trim Servo Actuators, P/N 065-00180-XXXX (all versions), S/N 2435 and below. |
Note 2: The autopilot systems are known to be installed on but not limited to the following aircraft:
Type Certificate Holder | Aircraft Models | Autopilot Installed |
Cessna Aircraft Company | 172R, 172S, 182S, 206H, and T206H | Model KAP 140 |
Commander Aircraft Company | 114B and 114TC | Model KFC 225 |
Mooney Aircraft Corporation | M20R and M20S | Model KFC 225 |
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Type Certificate Holder | Aircraft Models | Autopilot Installed |
The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. | PA-28-181 | Model KAP 140 |
The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. | PA-46-350P | Model KFC 225 |
Raytheon Aircraft Company | Beech A36, S/N E3157, E3218 through E3293, E3295, and E3297 through E3301 | Model KFC 225 |
Raytheon Aircraft Company | Beech B36TC, S/N EA611, EA620, EA629 through EA649, and EA651 | Model KFC 225 |
Raytheon Aircraft Company | Beech 58, S/N TH1841, TH1870, TH1884 through TH1932, and TH1934 | Model KFC 225 |
Requirement 1. Inspect the autopilot servo actuator for a loose fastener in accordance with the applicable service information referenced in the applicability statement of this Directive or disable the autopilot as follows:
- Check the primary flight controls for normal feel and motion and make any necessary adjustments;
b. Pull and tie off the applicable circuit breakers as referenced in the Compliance Section of the applicable service information listed in the applicability statement of this Directive;
c. Fabricate a placard, using letters 3mm (1/8-inch) in height, with the words "Autopilot Not Operational"; and
d. Install the placard in the cockpit within the pilot's clear view.
: 2. If, as a result of the Requirement 1 inspection, a loose fastener is found, modify the servo actuator in accordance with the applicable service information referenced in the applicability statement of this Directive.
Note 3: FAA AD 2000-05-24 Amdt 39-11634 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Within 15 hours time in service from the effective date of this Directive.
For Requirement 2 - Before further flight.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 12 April 2000.
Background: This Directive requires the inspection of the autopilot servo actuator for a loose fastener and modification of the autopilot servo actuator when a loose fastener is found. This Directive is based on a United States Federal Aviation Administration AD 2000-05-24 which was issued following a report of failure of the autopilot servo actuator to disengage when the autopilot power was removed. The actions specified are intended to detect and correct a loose fastener in the autopilot servo actuator which could cause the autopilot servo actuator to not disengage when power to the autopilot is removed.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 4 April 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 12 April 2000
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) is designed to address potential safety issues related to the Honeywell KAP 140 and KFC 225 autopilot systems installed in certain aircraft. The AD was enacted to rectify an unsafe condition identified in these autopilot systems, specifically focusing on loose fasteners in the autopilot servo actuators that could lead to the autopilot not disengaging when the power is removed. This safety measure is in response to a reported failure of the autopilot servo actuator to disengage, which poses a significant risk to flight safety. The directive applies to specific models and serial numbers of the KAP 140 and KFC 225 autopilot systems manufactured by Honeywell and previously by AlliedSignal Avionics Inc. The AD mandates inspections and modifications to ensure the safe operation of these systems in various aircraft types, including Cessna, Commander, Mooney, Piper, and Beechcraft models. The directive aims to mitigate the risk of autopilot malfunctions by requiring timely inspections and corrective actions, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/INST/44 KAP 140 and KFC 225 Autopilot Systems applies to specific Honeywell KAP 140 and KFC 225 autopilot systems and their servo actuators, which were previously manufactured by AlliedSignal Avionics Inc. before the transfer of design data to Honeywell. This AD applies to these systems when installed in certain aircraft models, including Cessna, Commander, Mooney, Piper, and Raytheon aircraft. The directive mandates that inspections and modifications be conducted to address the issue of loose fasteners in the autopilot servo actuators, which could result in the autopilot failing to disengage when power is removed. The inspection and any necessary modifications must be carried out within 15 hours of the AD's effective date, and if a loose fastener is found, the modification must be completed before further flight. The AD is applicable under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and is issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as part of the Commonwealth of Australia's regulatory framework for ensuring aviation safety. This AD extends to the specific circumstances and aircraft types mentioned, and it does not apply beyond those parameters unless further specified through subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) in question applies to specific Honeywell KAP 140 and KFC 225 autopilot systems and their associated servo actuators, which are referenced in the Honeywell service information and detailed in the applicability section of the directive (section 5). The directive mandates that these systems and actuators be inspected for loose fasteners and, if necessary, modified to rectify any issues discovered during the inspection. This requirement is detailed in the requirement section (section 1) of the directive, which specifies the actions that must be taken if a loose fastener is found during the inspection. The directive also stipulates the timeframes within which these actions must be completed, as outlined in the compliance section (section 3). Specifically, Requirement 1 must be addressed within 15 hours of the directive's effective date, while Requirement 2 must be completed before any further flight.
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties and entities it governs, including aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel. These obligations primarily revolve around the inspection and, if necessary, the modification of the specified autopilot systems and actuators. The directive requires that the inspection be carried out in accordance with the applicable service information and that any necessary modifications be performed before further flight. The obligations also extend to the installation of a placard in the cockpit, clearly indicating that the autopilot is not operational, if the system is disabled as per the directive's instructions. Additionally, the directive mandates that these actions be completed within the specified timeframes to ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in various consequences, including potential penalties under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998). The AD is issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of CAR 1998, which empowers the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate to issue such directives when deemed necessary for airworthiness. Non-compliance with the AD could lead to civil penalties, including fines, and may also result in the aircraft being deemed airworthy. In more severe cases, where the non-compliance is deemed to pose a significant risk to flight safety, criminal penalties may apply. The exact penalties would depend on the specific circumstances of the non-compliance and any subsequent investigations or legal proceedings.