{"id":"F2006B05096","name":"AD/CESSNA 180/83 - KAP 140 Autopilot System","slug":"ad-cessna-180-83-kap-140-autopilot-system","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":45080,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05096-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 180, 182 and Wren 460 Series Aeroplanes","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/CESSNA 180/83 KAP 140 Autopilot Syste","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/CESSNA 180/83 KAP 140 Autopilot System 2/2004","content":"# AD/CESSNA 180/83 KAP 140 Autopilot System 2/2004\n\nApplicability: 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- 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 180, 182 and Wren 460 Series Aero","sectionType":"part","heading":"Cessna 180, 182 and Wren 460 Series Aeroplanes","content":"## Cessna 180, 182 and Wren 460 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/CESSNA 180/83 (continued)\n\nCompliance: For Requirement 1 \\- Within 100 hours time in service after the effective date of this Directive.\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":"Background reports covered multiple Cessna models (172R/S, 182S/T, T182T, 206H, T206H) but the AD's Applicability is confined to Cessna 182S, 182T and T182T fitted with specified KAP 140 part numbers (Background; Applicability). Headings elsewhere also reference Cessna 180 and Wren 460, creating an ambiguity between the broader problem described and the narrower set of aircraft mandated to comply. The AD therefore narrows and clarifies scope relative to the broader set of affected models mentioned in the Background."},"complexity_factors":["Technical specificity: requires identification of exact autopilot computer part numbers (P/N 065-00176-2602, -5402, -7702) to determine applicability (Applicability).","Multiple compliance triggers: different actions have distinct deadlines (100 hours TIS; before further flight; immediate as of effective date) increasing scheduling complexity (Compliance).","Safety-critical procedure: installation of software update on a flight‑critical autopilot unit requires qualified maintenance personnel and record changes (Requirement/Compliance).","Amendment of part number and software modification tag: requires administrative verification post-installation to show compliance (Requirement).","Cross-jurisdictional basis: directive responds to FAA reports affecting several Cessna models, requiring reconciling international service instructions (Background).","Textual inconsistencies in headings and applicability (references to Cessna 180, Wren 460, and multiple model lists) that may require clarifying which aircraft are in-scope (heading vs Applicability)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires owners/operators of specified Cessna 182S, 182T and T182T aeroplanes fitted with a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer (specific part numbers) to have the unit’s operating software updated and the unit’s part number/tag changed within the stated timeframes. The update must be fitted before further flight when required. The stated purpose is to prevent inadvertent and undetected autopilot engagement reported by the FAA, which could cause a pilot to take inappropriate actions."},"summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD does not amend any other legislative instrument."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability to specific aircraft models and autopilot part numbers","Clear, one-off compliance action with a defined deadline","No ongoing or conditional requirements beyond initial software and identification update"],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive (AD) requires a mandatory software update for certain Cessna 182S, 182T and T182T aeroplanes fitted with a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer system (part numbers 065-00176-2602, 065-00176-5402 or 065-00176-7702). The update, which must be carried out within 100 hours time in service after 19 February 2004, changes the autopilot's operating software, the unit's part number and the software modification identification tag. After the software is installed, the aircraft must not be flown until the part number and tag changes are also completed. The directive responds to reports of the autopilot engaging unexpectedly and without the pilot's knowledge, a condition that could prompt inappropriate pilot responses. Once applied, the update prevents unintentional engagement of the system. Owners and operators of the affected aircraft are responsible for compliance."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Airworthiness Directive maintains its original narrow scope: addressing a specific software defect in a specific autopilot system installed in specific Cessna models. The document shows no evidence of scope creep beyond this targeted safety fix."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple formatting artifacts and repeated headings suggesting document conversion issues","Three separate requirements with different compliance timeframes","Specific part number identification required (three variants)","Cross-reference to US FAA reports for background context","Conditional applicability based on equipment fit"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a **safety order** issued by Australia's aviation regulator (CASA) that applies to specific Cessna aeroplanes fitted with a particular autopilot system.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Requires owners/operators of affected Cessna 182S, 182T and T182T aircraft to update the software on their Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computers\n- Mandates changing the part number and software modification identification tag on these units\n\n**Why it matters:**\n- The FAA (American aviation regulator) discovered that the autopilot could turn itself on without the pilot noticing\n- An unexpected autopilot engagement could confuse pilots and cause them to react incorrectly, potentially leading to loss of control\n\n**Who must act:**\n- Anyone operating a Cessna 182S, 182T or T182T with a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot (specific part numbers: 065-00176-2602, 065-00176-5402, or 065-00176-7702)\n\n**When action is required:**\n- **Requirement 1:** Within 100 flight hours after 19 February 2004\n- **Requirement 2:** Before flying again after installing the software update\n- **Requirement 3:** Immediately from 19 February 2004"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-180-83-kap-140-autopilot-system","history":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-180-83-kap-140-autopilot-system/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-180-83-kap-140-autopilot-system/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-180-83-kap-140-autopilot-system/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-180-83-kap-140-autopilot-system/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-180-83-kap-140-autopilot-system/documents"}}