{"id":"F2008L02852","name":"AD/CIRRUS/10 - Exhaust Heat Exchanger Cracks","slug":"ad-cirrus-10-exhaust-heat-exchanger-cracks","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":74725,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2008L02852-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Cirrus Design SR20 and SR22 Series Aerop","sectionType":"division","heading":"Cirrus Design SR20 and SR22 Series Aeroplanes","content":"### Cirrus Design SR20 and SR22 Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/CIRRUS/10 | Exhaust Heat Exchanger Cracks | 9/2008 |\n| ------------ | ----------------------------- | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | Cirrus Design Corporation Model SR20 aeroplanes, serial numbers 1005 through 1815.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |\n| -------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | 1. Perform a pressurization inspection/check on the exhaust system in accordance with Cirrus Service Bulletin SB 2X-78-07 R1, Revision 1, dated18 December 2007.2. If the exhaust system is found defective during the inspection/check detailed in Requirement 1 of this AD or an exhaust odour is detected inside the aeroplane cabin, replace the heat exchanger weldment and shroud with new improved heat exchanger weldment and new shroud in accordance with Cirrus Service Bulletin SB 2X-78-07 R1, Revision 1.Later revisions of the above SB, approved by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an Alternate Method of Compliance (AMOC) to FAA AD 2008-11-18 are considered acceptable for compliance with the equivalent Requirements of this Directive.Note: FAA AD 2008-11-18 Amdt 39-15541 dated 22 May 2008 refers. |\n| Compliance:    | For Requirement 1: Initially within the next 25 hours time-in-service or within the next 3 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first; andRepetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 100 hours TIS.For Requirement 2: Before further flight after the inspection/check in which the exhaust system is found defective or an exhaust odour is detected.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |\n|                | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 28 August 2008.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |\n\n| Background: | This AD results from the discovery of engine exhaust fumes in the cabin of Cirrus Design Corporation Model SR20 airplanes. The issuing of this AD is to detect and correct leaks in the exhaust system, which could result in exhaust gases leaking into the cabin heating system. This condition could lead to carbon monoxide in the cabin and incapacitation of the pilot. |\n| ----------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nJames Coyne  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n16 July 2008","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/CIRRUS/10","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/CIRRUS/10","content":"## AD/CIRRUS/10","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Exhaust Heat Exchanger Cracks","sectionType":"part","heading":"Exhaust Heat Exchanger Cracks","content":"## Exhaust Heat Exchanger Cracks","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"9/2008","sectionType":"part","heading":"9/2008","content":"## 9/2008","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive remains tightly focused on detecting and correcting exhaust heat exchanger leaks on a specific subset of Cirrus SR20 aircraft (s/n 1005–1815). It does not broaden the regulatory reach beyond that original safety purpose: the measures are limited to periodic inspections and mandatory replacement when defects or cabin odour are present, with compliance tied to a specific service bulletin and FAA AMOC approvals."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability: single model and limited serial number range (SR20 s/n 1005–1815)","Two principal mandatory actions (Requirement 1: inspection; Requirement 2: replace if defective or odour detected)","Timing conditions: initial inspection within 25 hours TIS or 3 months, then repetitive every 100 hours (adds conditional scheduling complexity)","Conditional, immediate-action clause: replacement required \"before further flight\" if defect or odour found","Dependence on external documents: Cirrus Service Bulletin SB 2X-78-07 R1 (Rev 1) and FAA AD 2008-11-18 (AMOC acceptance)","Relies on subjective detection (cabin odour) as a compliance trigger","Low number of defined terms and limited internal cross-references (keeps text short)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this directive does (mechanics)**\n\n- It requires owners/operators of Cirrus Design Corporation Model SR20 aeroplanes with serial numbers 1005 through 1815 to perform a pressurisation (pressure) inspection of the engine exhaust system following Cirrus Service Bulletin SB 2X-78-07 R1 (Revision 1).\n- If the inspection finds the exhaust system is defective, or if an exhaust odour (smell of exhaust gases) is detected inside the cabin, the heat exchanger weldment and its shroud must be replaced with the improved parts specified in that same Service Bulletin before the aircraft is flown again.\n- The initial inspection must be done within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within 3 months of the AD’s effective date (whichever is first). After that, the pressurisation inspection must be repeated every 100 hours TIS.\n- Later revisions of the Cirrus Service Bulletin are acceptable for compliance if they have been approved by the United States FAA as an Alternate Method of Compliance (AMOC) to FAA AD 2008-11-18.\n- Effective date: 28 August 2008.\n\n**Who this affects**\n\n- Owners, operators and maintenance organisations responsible for Cirrus SR20 aeroplanes, serial numbers 1005–1815.\n- Maintenance providers who must perform the prescribed inspections and any required replacements.\n\n**Why it matters (stated purpose and practical effect)**\n\n- The stated purpose is to find and fix leaks in the exhaust system so exhaust gases (including carbon monoxide) do not enter the cabin heating system. If unchecked, exhaust leaks could lead to carbon monoxide exposure and pilot incapacitation.\n\n**Costs, responsibilities and behavior changes**\n\n- Who pays: aircraft owners/operators pay for inspections, any parts and labour for replacements, and for aircraft downtime while grounded for repairs.\n- Who decides: the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) made the AD mandatory; compliance follows the Cirrus Service Bulletin procedures or FAA-approved AMOCs.\n- Behaviour change required: regular mandatory inspections (initial + every 100 hours) and immediate replacement before next flight if a defect or odour is found. Operators must schedule recurring maintenance slots and keep records to demonstrate compliance.\n\n**Implementation, compliance and risk considerations**\n\n- Compliance depends on access to the referenced Service Bulletin and, where applicable, FAA AMOC approvals. Maintenance organisations must follow the technical steps in the SB.\n- The AD relies partly on pilot/crew detection of exhaust odour as a trigger for immediate corrective action; odour detection is subjective and can miss some leaks, which is why the inspection requirement is the primary control.\n- Costs are concentrated on the specific set of SR20 owners (serials 1005–1815); the safety benefit is concentrated for occupants of those aircraft. Downtime and replacement parts impose direct, measurable costs.\n- Opportunity cost: aircraft may be unavailable while awaiting inspection or parts, which affects operators who rely on these aeroplanes for training or hire.\n\n**Cross-references (how compliance is proven)**\n\n- The AD requires following Cirrus Service Bulletin SB 2X-78-07 R1 (Revision 1). It also accepts later SB revisions only if they are approved by the FAA as AMOCs to FAA AD 2008-11-18.\n\n(References: Applicability; Requirement 1 and Requirement 2; Compliance intervals; Note re: FAA AD 2008-11-18.)"},"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":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope — addressing a specific safety-critical defect in a defined aircraft population. The reference to FAA AD 2008-11-18 as an acceptable alternate compliance method is standard harmonization practice and doesn't expand the substantive scope beyond the exhaust heat exchanger safety issue."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical issue (exhaust heat exchanger cracks) with clear inspection and replacement triggers","Only 2 main requirements with straightforward conditional logic (if defective → replace)","References external technical documents (Cirrus Service Bulletin SB 2X-78-07 R1) but provides clear compliance pathways","Simple compliance timeline: initial deadline + repetitive interval (100 hours TIS)","Limited applicability (single aircraft model, specific serial number range)","No nested definitions, interpretation sections, or complex cross-referencing within the instrument itself"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — essentially a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's aviation regulator (CASA) for specific aircraft.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Targets:** Cirrus SR20 aeroplanes built between serial numbers 1005 and 1815 (roughly early-to-mid production models)\n- **The problem:** Cracks in the exhaust heat exchanger can let dangerous carbon monoxide fumes leak into the cabin heating system, potentially poisoning and incapacitating the pilot\n\n**What owners/operators must do:**\n1. **Inspect the exhaust system** using a specific Cirrus service bulletin within 25 flight hours or 3 months (whichever comes first), then repeat this inspection every 100 flight hours\n2. **Replace the heat exchanger** immediately if cracks are found or if anyone smells exhaust fumes in the cabin — the aircraft cannot fly again until fixed\n\n**Why it matters:**\nCarbon monoxide poisoning at altitude can kill. This AD prevents that by forcing regular checks and immediate repairs. It aligns with an equivalent US FAA safety order, showing this was a known international safety issue.\n\n**Key point:** This isn't optional maintenance advice — it's legally enforceable. Flying without compliance can ground your aircraft and invalidate your insurance."},"summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument has not been amended and remains the version that became effective on 28 August 2008."},"complexity_factors":["References an external FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD 2008-11-18) and a specific service bulletin revision, requiring cross-checking.","Contains both an initial and repetitive inspection schedule, plus a conditional immediate replacement requirement."],"plain_english_summary":"This is an Australian Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Cirrus Design SR20 aeroplanes. It applies to Model SR20 with serial numbers 1005 through 1815. The AD requires a pressurisation inspection of the exhaust system to find cracks or leaks. The initial inspection must be done within 25 flight hours or 3 months after 28 August 2008 (whichever comes first). After that, the inspection must be repeated every 100 flight hours. If the exhaust system is defective during any inspection, or if anyone inside the cabin notices an exhaust odour, the heat exchanger weldment and its shroud must be replaced with a new, improved design before the next flight. The inspection and replacement procedures must follow Cirrus Service Bulletin SB 2X-78-07 R1 (or a later FAA-approved revision). The action is required to prevent exhaust gases from leaking into the cabin heating system, which could cause carbon monoxide poisoning and pilot incapacitation."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-cirrus-10-exhaust-heat-exchanger-cracks","history":"/api/acts/ad-cirrus-10-exhaust-heat-exchanger-cracks/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-cirrus-10-exhaust-heat-exchanger-cracks/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-cirrus-10-exhaust-heat-exchanger-cracks/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-cirrus-10-exhaust-heat-exchanger-cracks/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-cirrus-10-exhaust-heat-exchanger-cracks/documents"}}