{"id":"F2006B05097","name":"AD/CESSNA 180/84 - KAP 140 Autopilot System","slug":"ad-cessna-180-84-kap-140-autopilot-system","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":45081,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05097-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","sectionType":"part","heading":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","content":"# ![](image.001.png)  \nAIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\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 180/84 KAP 140 Autopilot Syste","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/CESSNA 180/84 KAP 140 Autopilot System 10/2004","content":"# AD/CESSNA 180/84 KAP 140 Autopilot System 10/2004\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- 2501, 065-00176-5001, 065-00176-5101 or 065-00176-5201, all serial numbers.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Model","sectionType":"part","heading":"Model","content":"## Model\n\n182S\n\n182T T182T","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"Serial Numbers","sectionType":"part","heading":"Serial Numbers","content":"##   \nSerial Numbers\n\n18280001 through 18280944\n\n18280945 through 18281065, 18281067 through 18281145,\n\n18281147 through 18281163, 18281165 through 18281167 and\n\n18281172\n\nT18208001 through T18208109 and T18208111 through T18208177","sortOrder":3},{"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 180/84 (continued)\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 30 September 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\nHowever, when issuing AD 2003-24-13 the FAA inadvertently omitted four part numbers from the applicability that was reflected in AD/CESSNA 180/83. This Directive, whilst not superseding AD/CESSNA 180/83, complements that Directive by listing the omitted KAP 140 autopilot computer system part numbers.\n\nThis 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.\n\n![](image.002.jpeg)  \n\nGary J Carr\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 16 August 2004\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 8 September 2004.","sortOrder":4}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This AD expands the applicability of the earlier directive by adding four Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer part numbers that were omitted from the FAA’s previous AD. It therefore increases the set of aircraft/units required to receive the software update compared with the original AD’s applicability; the technical corrective action (software update to prevent inadvertent engagement) remains the same."},"complexity_factors":["Single required corrective action (software update) — low procedural complexity","Small list of affected models with specific serial number ranges (multiple ranges: several ranges for 182 models and T182)","Four specific Honeywell KAP 140 part numbers identified in applicability","Cross-reference to an earlier FAA AD and to a prior domestic AD (AD/CESSNA 180/83) expanding applicability","Effective date specified (30 September 2004) but no detailed conditional compliance timetable in the excerpt","No nested exceptions or lengthy definitions in the provided text"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this directive does (mechanically)**\n\n- It requires operators of specified Cessna light aeroplanes that have a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer to have the autopilot computer’s operating software updated. (See \"Applicability\" and \"Requirement\".)\n- The update is intended to prevent inadvertent or undetected engagement of the autopilot. The AD sets the required action, the affected equipment (specific Honeywell KAP 140 part numbers), and an effective date (30 September 2004). (See \"Background\" and effective date.)\n\n**Who is affected**\n\n- Owners and operators of the listed Cessna models (182S, 182T, T182T) with serial numbers in the ranges specified in the AD and fitted with a Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computer system with the listed part numbers (P/N 065-00176-2501, -5001, -5101, -5201). (See \"Applicability\".)\n- Maintenance organisations, certificated avionics shops or Honeywell-authorised service providers who will perform the software update.\n- Pilots who operate those particular aeroplanes, because the change modifies autopilot behaviour.\n\n**Why it matters (stated safety concern and mechanical effect)**\n\n- The FAA reported incidents of the KAP 140 autopilot engaging inadvertently and remaining engaged without a clear indication. That condition can lead a pilot to take inappropriate control inputs. The software update is intended to prevent that unintentional engagement by changing the autopilot computer’s operating logic. (See \"Background\" and \"Requirement\".)\n\n**Who pays, who decides, and what changes**\n\n- Who pays: aircraft owners/operators pay for the software update and any associated labour and downtime. The AD itself does not state cost estimates.\n- Who decides: the CASA delegate issues the AD under CASR subregulation 39.1(1). Compliance decisions — such as arranging the update and verifying applicability — are made by owners/operators and their maintenance providers, subject to the AD’s timing and instructions.\n- Behaviour change required: owners/operators must identify affected aircraft (by model, serial number and autopilot part number), schedule and install the KAP 140 software update to the units listed.\n\n**Implementation, costs and trade-offs**\n\n- Implementation burden: checking serial numbers and part numbers, arranging maintenance, installing the software update, and aircraft downtime while the work is completed. The AD does not specify whether the update must be performed by Honeywell or an authorised agent, so operators must follow the AD’s required instructions and any referenced service bulletins.\n- Direct costs are concentrated on owners/operators of affected aircraft; costs include parts (if any), labour and lost use of the aircraft while maintained.\n- Market effects: modest increase in demand for avionics service work for the specific KAP 140 units; limited effect on competition because the work will generally be done by authorised or qualified avionics providers.\n- Implementation risk: failure to identify applicable serial/part numbers could lead to non‑compliance and continued safety risk. The AD references an earlier FAA AD and supplements it by listing additional part numbers omitted previously, which creates a potential administrative burden in reconciling the two directives.\n\n**Costs vs benefits and incentives**\n\n- Concentrated benefits: owners/operators of affected aircraft and the broader flying public gain reduced risk of inadvertent autopilot engagement for those units.\n- Concentrated costs: the same owners/operators bear the update cost and downtime. The AD does not create ongoing operational restrictions beyond completing the update.\n- Opportunity cost: time and money spent on the update could otherwise be used for other maintenance or operation; small for most operators, larger for those with limited resources.\n\n**Relation to previous actions and regulatory discretion**\n\n- This AD complements an earlier AD (it does not supersede AD/CESSNA 180/83) by adding part numbers that the FAA inadvertently omitted. That means the scope of applicability has been expanded to include those additional autopilot computer part numbers. (See \"Background\".)\n- CASA issued the AD under its statutory power to require corrective action for unsafe conditions; the AD prescribes a specific technical corrective measure (software update). The AD does not supply cost relief, exemptions, or an alternative means of compliance within the text provided.\n\n"},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This directive maintains its original narrow scope. It was issued specifically to correct an administrative omission in an earlier directive (AD/CESSNA 180/83) by adding four part numbers that were accidentally excluded. The scope remains tightly focused on the specific autopilot software issue and has not expanded beyond this technical safety fix."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific technical requirement (software update)","Limited applicability — only three aircraft models with specific serial number ranges and four specific part numbers","No nested exceptions or conditional logic","Clear compliance date (effective date)","Short document with straightforward background explanation","Only cross-reference is to a related earlier directive (AD/CESSNA 180/83) for context, not for operational requirements"],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive from CASA mandates a software update to Honeywell KAP 140 autopilot computers installed on specified Cessna 182S, 182T and T182T aircraft. The update prevents inadvertent autopilot engagement that could lead to pilot misreaction and loss of control. It corrects an earlier AD omission of four KAP 140 part numbers, affects owners/operators of listed serial-numbered aeroplanes, and took effect 30 September 2004."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-180-84-kap-140-autopilot-system","history":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-180-84-kap-140-autopilot-system/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-180-84-kap-140-autopilot-system/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-180-84-kap-140-autopilot-system/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-180-84-kap-140-autopilot-system/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-180-84-kap-140-autopilot-system/documents"}}