{"id":"F2006B05098","name":"AD/CESSNA 180/85 - Upper Shoulder Harness Adjuster Spring","slug":"ad-cessna-180-85-upper-shoulder-harness-adjuster-spring","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":45082,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B05098-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/CESSNA 180/85 - Upper Shoulder Harness Adjuster Spring","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\n![](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\n\nAD/CESSNA 180/85 Upper Shoulder Harness\n\nAdjuster Spring\n\n  \n13/2004\n\nApplicability: Models 180, 180A, 180B, 180C, 180D, 180E, 180F, 180G, 180H, 182, 182A, 182B, 182C, 182D, 182E, 182F, 182G, 182H, 182J, 182K, 182L, 182M, and 182N aircraft,\n\nwith serial numbers listed in Cessna Single Engine Service Bulletin (SB) SEB86-8 Revision 1, dated 28 July 2003.\n\nRequirement: 1. Inspect only the upper shoulder harness adjuster (part number 443030-401) for the presence of a retainer spring, in accordance with SB SEB86-8 Revision 1.\n\nIf a retainer spring is found during the above inspection of the upper shoulder harness adjuster (part number 443030-401), before further flight, remove the spring by cutting each side, and stamp out the -401 identification number; in accordance with SB SEB86-8 Revision 1.\n\nIf a retainer spring is not found during the above inspection of the upper shoulder harness adjuster (part number 443030-401), before further flight, make an entry in the aircraft log book showing compliance with this Directive.\n\n2. Only incorporate Cessna Accessory Kits that have been identified, inspected, and modified in accordance with the Requirement document.\n\nNote: FAA AD 2004-19-01 Amdt 39-13795 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. Within the next 25 hours time in service or at the next annual inspection after 23 December 2004, whichever occurs first.\n\n2. As of the effective date of this Directive.\n\nNote: Compliance with SB SEB86-8 original issue, dated 21 November 1986, constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this Directive, if shoulder harness adjuster part number 443030-401 was used.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 23 December 2004.\n\nCessna 180, 182 and Wren 460 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/CESSNA 180/85 (continued)\n\nBackground: The manufacturer determined that some of the shoulder harness belt adjusters included in the affected shoulder harness accessory kits may have had a small wire spring inadvertently installed on the belt friction pin. The actions required by this Directive are intended to prevent slippage of the pilot/co-pilot shoulder harness, which could result in failure of the shoulder harness to maintain proper belt length adjustment and tension.\n\n![](image.002.png)  \n\nDavid Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 12 November 2004\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 1 December 2004.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD remains narrowly focused on correcting a specific unsafe condition (a retainer spring on the upper shoulder harness adjuster) for a defined set of serial-numbered aircraft and accessory kits. It does not broaden into unrelated regulatory areas or add ongoing operational requirements beyond the one-time inspection/modification and restriction on fitting unmodified kits. Therefore the scope has not materially changed beyond its original safety-correction purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-topic AD focused on one part (upper shoulder harness adjuster PN 443030-401).","Two principal requirements (inspect/remove-or-log; only fit inspected/modified kits).","One clear compliance timeframe (25 hours TIS or next annual inspection).","Cross-reference to a single service bulletin (Cessna SEB86-8 Revision 1) for detailed instructions.","One related foreign AD referenced (FAA AD 2004-19-01).","A terminating-action note (compliance with original SB issue may terminate AD for certain circumstances)."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanical effect first)**\n\n- Requires owners/operators of certain Cessna 180, 182 and Wren 460 series aeroplanes (specific serial numbers listed in Cessna SB SEB86-8 Revision 1) to inspect the upper shoulder harness adjuster (part number 443030-401) for the presence of a small retainer spring (Requirement 1).\n- If the spring is present, it must be removed by cutting each side and the “-401” identification on the part must be stamped out before the aircraft flies again (Requirement 1).\n- If the spring is not present, the operator must make a logbook entry recording compliance before further flight (Requirement 1).\n- From the AD’s effective date, only accessory kits that have been inspected and modified in the manner required by the service bulletin may be fitted (Requirement 2).\n- Compliance must occur within 25 hours time-in-service or at the next annual inspection after 23 December 2004, whichever is earlier (Compliance).\n\n**Who it affects**\n\n- Aircraft owners/operators of the listed Cessna 180/182/Wren 460 models with serial numbers identified in Cessna SB SEB86-8 Revision 1.\n- Maintenance organisations and technicians who inspect, modify and record work on those aircraft.\n- Suppliers/fitters of accessory kits for the affected harness adjuster: only kits modified/inspected per the service bulletin may be used (Requirement 2).\n\n**Why it matters (stated purpose and practical implications)**\n\n- Stated purpose: the manufacturer found that some shoulder harness adjusters included a small wire retainer spring that could allow the shoulder harness to slip, risking loss of proper belt length/tension (Background).\n- Practically, the AD forces a one-time inspection and remedial action where necessary to remove that spring, and prevents re-introduction of unmodified kits that might contain the spring.\n\n**Operational mechanics and obligations**\n\n- The AD is prescriptive: it tells you exactly which part to inspect (PN 443030-401), what to do if the spring is found (cut it out and obliterate the part ID), and what to record if it is not found (logbook entry) (Requirement 1).\n- It cross-references Cessna Single Engine Service Bulletin SEB86-8 Revision 1 for inspection and modification instructions; compliance with the original issue of that SB can be a terminating action in some circumstances (Notes).\n- FAA AD 2004-19-01 is noted as related guidance.\n\n**Costs, incentives and trade-offs**\n\n- Direct costs: time and labour to inspect and, if required, to remove the spring and stamp the part number; minor material cost if any replacement is needed (Requirement 1; Compliance).\n- Who pays: the aircraft owner/operator pays for the inspection/modification and any associated maintenance time and paperwork.\n- Behavioural effect: operators must prioritise this inspection within a short timeframe (25 hours TIS or next annual) which may accelerate maintenance scheduling and short-term aircraft downtime.\n- Supply-chain effect: accessory kits that have not been inspected/modified per the SB cannot be fitted, which may temporarily restrict available inventory or increase costs for purchasers of kits (Requirement 2).\n\n**Implementation and compliance risks**\n\n- The AD relies on technicians following the service bulletin correctly; improper removal or marking could fail to mitigate the unsafe condition or complicate later inspections.\n- The AD requires an explicit logbook entry when no spring is found — administrative non-compliance is possible if entries are omitted.\n\n**Decision and discretion**\n\n- The AD prescribes mandatory action (inspection and removal/logging) and leaves little room for alternative corrective measures; maintenance organisations must follow the SB instructions.\n- The CASA delegate issued the AD; maintenance organisations decide scheduling and who performs the work, subject to aircraft owner/operator costs.\n\n**Net effect on private choice and markets**\n\n- Limits freedom to fit unmodified accessory kits for the identified part (Requirement 2), but otherwise imposes a specific safety action rather than ongoing operational constraints.\n- The cost burden is concentrated on the aircraft owners/operators and maintenance providers; benefits (reduced risk of harness slippage) are diffuse across those who fly or operate the aircraft.\n\n(References in the AD: Applicability; Requirement 1 and 2; Compliance; Background; Notes.)"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope — addressing a specific manufacturing defect in shoulder harness adjusters for particular Cessna models. The 2004 revision simply updates the compliance reference to a revised service bulletin (SEB86-8 Revision 1) and aligns with an FAA directive, without expanding beyond the original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical defect addressed (one part number: 443030-401)","Clear binary inspection outcome (spring present or absent)","Straightforward compliance timeline (25 hours or next annual inspection)","Only 2 main requirements with simple conditional logic","Minimal cross-referencing (one service bulletin and one FAA AD mentioned in notes only)","No nested definitions or interpretation sections","Background clearly explains the safety risk in plain language"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD mandates owners/operators of specified Cessna 180/182 models (per Cessna SB SEB86‑8 Rev 1) and Wren 460 series to inspect the upper shoulder-harness adjuster (P/N 443030‑401) for an unauthorized retainer spring. If the spring is present it must be cut out and the part ID stamped out before further flight; if absent, log the inspection.\n\nAction is required within 25 flight hours or at the next annual inspection; the spring can allow the harness to slip in a crash."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-180-85-upper-shoulder-harness-adjuster-spring","history":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-180-85-upper-shoulder-harness-adjuster-spring/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-180-85-upper-shoulder-harness-adjuster-spring/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-180-85-upper-shoulder-harness-adjuster-spring/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-180-85-upper-shoulder-harness-adjuster-spring/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-180-85-upper-shoulder-harness-adjuster-spring/documents"}}