{"id":"F2008L01359","name":"AD/CESSNA 303/13 - Alternate Static Air Source Valve","slug":"ad-cessna-303-13-alternate-static-air-source-valve","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":73616,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2008L01359-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Cessna T303 Series Aeroplanes","sectionType":"division","heading":"Cessna T303 Series Aeroplanes","content":"### Cessna T303 Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/CESSNA 303/13 | Alternate Static Air Source Valve | 7/2008 TX |\n| ---------------- | --------------------------------- | --------- |\n\n```html\n

Applicability:

Aeroplanes models listed in Table 1 that have an alternate static air source selector valve, part number (P/N) 2013142-18, installed after 19 November 2007.

Table 1 - Applicability for Aeroplanes that Could Have Had the Affected
Part Installed as a Replacement Part or From Parts Held as Spares

Model

Serial Numbers (S/N)

T303

All S/Ns

Note 1: P/N 2013142-18 replaced P/Ns 2013142-9, -13 and -17.

Requirement:

1. For aeroplanes listed in Table 1 - Either:

a. Inspect the alternate static air source selector valve in accordance with Requirement 3, or

b. Inspect the aeroplane’s maintenance records to determine if the alternate static air source selector valve has been replaced since 19 November 2007 with P/N 2013142-18, if the valve has not been replaced no further action is necessary.

Note 2: The Requirement 1.b. inspection and determination may be accomplished and certified for by the aeroplane operator, provided that they hold at least a private pilot’s licence.

2. If the Requirement 1.b. determination indicates that a P/N 2013142-18 alternate static air source selector valve has been installed inspect the valve in accordance with Requirement 3.

3. Inspect the alternate static air source selector valve to assure that the part number identification placard is not obstructing the port as follows:

a. Adjust the pilot and copilot seats as far aft as possible.

\n```\n\n| | b. Use a flashlight and mirror to inspect the alternate static air source selector valve to assure the port on the forward end of the valve is clearly visible and not covered by the part number identification placard. |\n| ----------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| | 4. If, during any Requirement 3 inspection, the alternate static air source selector valve port is found obstructed by the part number identification placard, remove the placard from the valve body, discard the placard and assure that the port is open and unobstructed. |\n| | 5. Static air source selector valves P/N 2013142-18 installed as modification or replacement parts on or after the effective date of this Directive must be inspected in accordance with Requirement 3 prior to installation. |\n| | Note 3: FAA AD 2008-10-02 Amdt 39-15508, which becomes effective on 12 May 2008, refers. |\n| Compliance: | For Requirements 1, 2 and 3 - Before further flight after the effective date of this Directive. |\n| | For Requirement 4 - Before further flight after the Requirement 1 inspection. |\n| | For Requirement 5 - As of the effective date of this Directive. |\n| | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 13 May 2008. |\n| Background: | The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received reports of improper installation of the part number identification placard on alternate static air source selector valves of certain Cessna 172, 175, 180, 182, 185, 206, 207, 208, 210 and 303 series aeroplanes. The part number identification placard refers to alternative air source selector valves, part number 2013142-18, that were manufactured between 20 November 2007 and 18 February 2008. The part number identification placard was installed on the valve body in a location that covers the port, which is the inlet for static air reference into the valve. The problem was discovered during a quality control check. |\n| | The FAA has advised that all parts held in stock at Cessna have been corrected and that Cessna has no way of verifying how many of these assemblies were manufactured and sent to the field with the part number identification placard installed over the alternate static air source selector valve port. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has no way of determining which aeroplanes have the remaining problem alternate static air source selector valve assemblies installed without having all of the affected aeroplanes and spares stock inspected. |\n| | This condition, if not corrected, could result in the altimeter, airspeed and vertical speed indicators displaying erroneous indications. This could cause the pilot to react to incorrect flight information and possibly result in loss of control. |\n\n| | CASA has varied the inspection requirements to allow the aeroplane operator to determine if a P/N 2013142-18 selector valve has been installed since 19 November 2007. |\n| --- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n\n![](image.001.png) \nJames Coyne \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n6 May 2008","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/CESSNA 303/13","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/CESSNA 303/13","content":"## AD/CESSNA 303/13","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Alternate Static Air Source Valve","sectionType":"part","heading":"Alternate Static Air Source Valve","content":"## Alternate Static Air Source Valve","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"7/2008 TX","sectionType":"part","heading":"7/2008 TX","content":"## 7/2008 TX","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive focuses narrowly on the specific manufacturing/installation defect (placard obstructing the alternate static air source selector valve port). CASA’s only substantive variation was to allow the aeroplane operator (with at least a private pilot licence) to perform and certify the records check determining whether the affected part was installed since 19 November 2007 (Note 2). That is a procedural narrowing of who may certify the records check, not an expansion of the safety issue or regulatory scope. Overall the directive remains within the original intent of correcting the placard-over-port defect reported by the FAA."},"complexity_factors":["Short text (single airworthiness directive) with 5 numbered requirements","One applicability table limited to one model (T303) and all serial numbers","Simple inspection procedure described in two substeps (3a–b)","Small number of cross-references and notes (Note 1: replacement P/Ns; Note 2: operator qualification; Note 3: FAA AD)","Clear compliance timing rules (before further flight)","No extensive defined-terms section, few conditional branches (inspect or check records; then inspect if valve present)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this directive does (mechanics)**\n\n- Applies to Cessna T303 series aeroplanes that have an alternate static air source selector valve with part number (P/N) 2013142-18 installed after 19 November 2007 (Table 1, Applicability). P/N 2013142-18 replaced earlier P/Ns 2013142-9, -13 and -17 (Note 1).\n\n- Requires operators to check whether that specific valve (P/N 2013142-18) is fitted. If it is fitted, the valve must be inspected immediately to ensure the forward port of the valve is not blocked by the part-number identification placard (Requirement 1, 2 and 3).\n\n- The inspection procedure is simple: move the pilot and copilot seats fully aft and, using a flashlight and mirror, verify the forward port is visible and not covered by the placard (Requirement 3a–b).\n\n- If the placard is obstructing the port, remove and discard the placard and make sure the port is open (Requirement 4).\n\n- Any P/N 2013142-18 valves installed on or after the directive’s effective date must be inspected before installation (Requirement 5).\n\n- Timing rules: the inspections required by Requirements 1–3 must be completed before the next flight after the directive’s effective date; if a placard is removed under Requirement 4, that must be done before the next flight after the initial inspection (Compliance section).\n\n**Who this affects**\n\n- Aircraft owners/operators of Cessna T303 series aeroplanes (all serial numbers listed in Table 1) that either already have, or might have had fitted, the affected valve (P/N 2013142-18) after 19 November 2007.\n- Maintenance personnel who install alternate static air source selector valves on these aeroplanes.\n- Flight crew/operators who may be asked to carry out or certify a records check: CASA allows the aeroplane operator to check maintenance records and certify that determination provided they hold at least a private pilot’s licence (Note 2).\n\n**Why it matters (safety risk and intended effect)**\n\n- The FAA reported some P/N 2013142-18 valves were shipped with the part-number placard installed over the forward port (the static-air inlet). If that inlet is blocked, the static air system can give incorrect static pressure input to the altimeter, airspeed and vertical speed instruments.\n- Incorrect instrument readings can cause a pilot to act on false flight information, which could lead to loss of control. The directive’s mechanical remedy is to ensure the port is not obstructed and to prevent new installations with the placard covering the port (Background and Requirements).\n\n**Costs, incentives and practical trade-offs**\n\n- Direct compliance costs are modest: inspecting the valve requires only simple tools (flashlight and mirror), seat adjustment and a short time out of service (Requirements 3 and Compliance). If a placard must be removed, the work is minimal but still grounds the aircraft until corrected (Requirement 4).\n- The directive permits the aircraft operator (with at least a private pilot licence) to certify that the valve was not installed since 19 November 2007 by checking maintenance records, which reduces inspection workload where records are clear (Requirement 1.b and Note 2). That shifts some decision authority from maintenance organisations to operators for this specific check.\n- Removing the placard eliminates the blockage risk but discards a visible part-number identifier on the valve body. That improves immediate safety but reduces on-part traceability; operators should rely on maintenance records or other markings for future identification (Requirement 4).\n- If operators fail to inspect or remove blocked placards, instruments could give erroneous readings. Conversely, the directive may impose minor grounding and administrative costs on owners/operators.\n- The directive cross-references FAA AD 2008-10-02 (Note 3), reflecting the common source of the issue and aligning corrective action with the FAA’s findings.\n\n**Who pays and who decides**\n\n- Aircraft owners/operators pay the cost in time and any maintenance action required to remove a placard. If a maintenance organisation undertakes the work, the operator bears that bill.\n- The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issues the directive and sets the compliance deadlines. CASA also allowed (varied) that the operator (holding at least a private pilot licence) may perform and certify the records check determining whether the valve was installed since 19 November 2007 (Note 2).\n\n**Implementation and compliance risks**\n\n- Risk is low if operators follow the inspection requirement before next flight. The only real implementation risk is incomplete records or failure to inspect spares and installed valves — the directive requires inspection of both installed parts and new/ replacement parts prior to installation (Requirement 5).\n\n(Referenced sections: Applicability/Table 1; Requirements 1–5; Notes 1–3; Compliance section; Background.)"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope — addressing a specific manufacturing defect in a single part number for one aircraft series. The variation allowing operator records review (rather than mandatory physical inspection for all aircraft) is a risk-based refinement that reduces burden without expanding scope."},"complexity_factors":["Single-issue directive focused on one specific part number (P/N 2013142-18)","Clear binary compliance path: physical inspection OR records review","Only 5 numbered requirements with straightforward conditional logic (if installed, then inspect)","Limited cross-referencing (only one reference to FAA AD 2008-10-02)","Narrow applicability (single aircraft model series, specific date range)","Plain language background section explaining the safety rationale","No nested definitions or interpretation sections"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive requires owners/operators of Cessna T303 aircraft that may have had replacement valve P/N 2013142‑18 (shipped Nov 2007–Feb 2008) installed after 19 Nov 2007 to verify the valve’s static air intake isn’t blocked by an identification label. You may either inspect the valve or confirm installation from maintenance records.\n\nIf the label blocks the port, it must be removed before the next flight. Blocked ports can give erroneous altitude/speed/vertical-speed indications and create a serious safety risk."},"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"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-303-13-alternate-static-air-source-valve","history":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-303-13-alternate-static-air-source-valve/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-303-13-alternate-static-air-source-valve/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-303-13-alternate-static-air-source-valve/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-303-13-alternate-static-air-source-valve/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-cessna-303-13-alternate-static-air-source-valve/documents"}}