{"id":"F2006B05002","name":"AD/CESSNA 170/73 - KAP 140 Autopilot System","slug":"ad-cessna-170-73-kap-140-autopilot-system","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":44911,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05002-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","sectionType":"part","heading":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","content":"# AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nFor 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.\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nCessna 170, 172, F172, FR172 and 175 Series Aeroplanes","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/CESSNA 170/73 KAP 140 Autopilot Syste","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/CESSNA 170/73 KAP 140 Autopilot System 2/2004","content":"# AD/CESSNA 170/73 KAP 140 Autopilot System 2/2004\n\nApplicability: Cessna 172R and 172S model aeroplanes listed below that are equipped with a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer system, part number (P/N) 065-00176-2602, 065-00176-5402 or 065-00176-7702.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Model Serial Numbers","sectionType":"part","heading":"Model Serial Numbers","content":"## Model Serial Numbers","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172 and 175 Ser","sectionType":"part","heading":"Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172 and 175 Series Aeroplanes","content":"## Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172 and 175 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/CESSNA 170/73 (continued)\n\nFor Requirement 2 \\- Before further flight after installing the update to the KC 140 autopilot computer system operating software.\n\nFor Requirement 3 \\- As of the effective date of this Directive.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 19 February 2004.\n\nBackground: 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.\n\nThis Directive requires the installation of an update to the operating software of the KAP 140 autopilot computer system, a change to the unit's part number and change of the software modification identification tag. These actions prevent unintentional engagement of the KAP 140 autopilot computer system, which could cause the pilot to take inappropriate actions.\n\n![](image.002.png)  \n\nDavid Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 7 January 2004\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 28 January 2004.","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The AD targets Cessna 172R and 172S aircraft with specific Honeywell KAP 140 part numbers, while the Background cites FAA reports covering multiple Cessna models (172R/172S, 182 variants, 206 variants). The practical scope of mandated action is therefore narrower than the broader set of models mentioned in the Background (Applicability vs Background)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow technical action: single mandated maintenance task — software update plus part-number/tag change (Requirement summary; Background).","Clear applicability tied to specific airframe models and KAP 140 P/Ns — requires identification of equipment fit (Applicability: Cessna 172R/172S; P/N listed).","Strict timing language: 'Before further flight' for at least one requirement and AD effective date 19 February 2004 (Compliance statements).","Regulatory authority is explicit: issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of CASR 1998 — limited discretionary scope once AD issued (opening paragraph).","Operational impact: potential grounding until modification installed — compliance imposes maintenance scheduling and direct cost on owner/operator (Requirement/Compliance).","Administrative step: change of unit part number and software modification identification tag introduces record-keeping and certification steps (Requirement summary).","Reliance on external safety reports: Background cites FAA reports of inadvertent engagement across multiple Cessna models, requiring mapping between reported models and this AD's applicability (Background)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires owners/operators of certain Cessna 172R and 172S aeroplanes fitted with a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot (specified part numbers) to install an updated KAP 140 operating software, change the unit part number and update the software modification tag. CASA's delegate issued the AD under CASR subregulation 39.1(1); compliance timings include ‘before further flight’ for some actions and the effective date 19 February 2004. Affected operators must arrange and pay for the modification to prevent inadvertent autopilot engagement."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Airworthiness Directive maintains its original narrow scope. It addresses a specific unsafe condition (inadvertent autopilot engagement) in specific aircraft models with specific equipment. There is no evidence of scope creep; the directive remains tightly focused on the KAP 140 autopilot software update issue as originally identified by the FAA."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose directive with only 3 requirements","Limited applicability: only 2 aircraft models (172R, 172S) with 3 specific part numbers","Simple conditional structure: 'if equipped with X, then do Y'","No nested exceptions or complex cross-referencing to other legislation","Clear, sequential compliance dates","Some formatting repetition and image placeholders suggest this is a scanned/OCR'd document rather than clean legislative text"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA safety order requires owners/operators of Cessna 172R and 172S aircraft fitted with Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot units (part nos. 065-00176-2602, -5402, -7702) to update the autopilot software and change the part number/software tag. The FAA found the units can engage inadvertently, risking pilot confusion and loss of control. The update must be installed before next flight and the order took effect 19 February 2004."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-170-73-kap-140-autopilot-system","history":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-170-73-kap-140-autopilot-system/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-170-73-kap-140-autopilot-system/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-170-73-kap-140-autopilot-system/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-170-73-kap-140-autopilot-system/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-170-73-kap-140-autopilot-system/documents"}}