{"id":"F2006B09511","name":"AD/EMB-120/23 - Replacement of Pitot Heater Power Wire","slug":"ad-emb-120-23-replacement-of-pitot-heater-power-wire","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":54077,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09511-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/EMB-120/23 - Replacement of Pitot Heater Power Wire","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nEmbraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/EMB-120/23 Replacement of Pitot Heater Power Wire 3/98\n\nApplicability: All Embraer EMB-120 aircraft serial numbers: 120003, 120004, 120006 to 120308\n\ninclusive, 120310, 120312 to 120314 inclusive, 120316 to 120323 inclusive and\n\n120325 to 120330 inclusive.\n\nRequirement: Replace wire, identified as W200-0434-18, with heavier gauge wire, identified as W200-1063-12, in accordance with instructions detailed in Embraer Service Bulletin 120-30-0028.\n\nNote: Brazilian AD 97-11-01 Amdt 39-817 refers.\n\nCompliance: Within 400 hours time in service or the next Check 1A service, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this airworthiness directive.\n\nThis airworthiness directive becomes effective on 26 February 1998.\n\nBackground: Brazilian Department of Civil Aviation has reported that the possibility exists for the identified wire to overheat which could lead to smoke being generated in the cockpit.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive's scope aligns with its stated safety objective: replace the identified power wire on the listed EMB-120 serial numbers per Embraer Service Bulletin 120-30-0028 to mitigate overheating and cockpit smoke risk (Applicability; Requirement; Background)."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific technical action: replace a named wire with a heavier-gauge part (Requirement).","Limited applicability: explicit list of affected serial numbers narrows scope (Applicability).","Clear compliance window: 400 flight hours or next Check 1A gives a straightforward deadline (Compliance).","Dependence on an external technical document for procedures: Embraer Service Bulletin 120-30-0028 (Requirement).","Traceable safety rationale based on reported overheating and smoke risk (Background)."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires operators of listed Embraer EMB-120 serial numbers to replace the pitot‑heater power wire `W200-0434-18` with heavier gauge wire `W200-1063-12` in accordance with Embraer Service Bulletin `120-30-0028`. Compliance must occur within 400 flight hours or at the next Check 1A. The stated purpose is to reduce the risk of the identified wire overheating and producing cockpit smoke; operators bear responsibility for performing and funding the replacement."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"N/A - This is a discrete, single-issue airworthiness directive addressing a specific wiring defect. There is no indication of scope creep; it maintains the narrow, safety-focused purpose typical of ADs."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 200 words)","Only 2 defined technical identifiers (wire part numbers W200-0434-18 and W200-1063-12)","Single, unambiguous compliance requirement with clear deadline","No nested conditions or cross-references to other legislation beyond a single reference to a Brazilian equivalent directive and an Embraer technical bulletin","Straightforward applicability section using simple serial number ranges"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a **safety order** (called an \"Airworthiness Directive\") issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority that applies to specific Embraer EMB-120 \"Brasilia\" aircraft.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Orders aircraft owners/operators** to replace a specific electrical wire (W200-0434-18) that powers the pitot tube heater with a thicker, stronger wire (W200-1063-12)\n- A **pitot tube** is a small device on the outside of an aircraft that measures airspeed — it has a heater to prevent ice buildup, which is critical for safe flight\n\n**Why it matters:**\n- The original wire can **overheat and cause smoke in the cockpit** — a serious flight safety hazard\n- This follows a similar safety notice from Brazilian aviation authorities (Brazilian AD 97-11-01)\n\n**Who must comply:**\n- Owners or operators of Embraer EMB-120 aircraft with specific serial numbers listed (roughly 300+ aircraft)\n\n**When:**\n- Within 400 flight hours or the next \"Check 1A\" maintenance inspection, whichever comes first, starting from 26 February 1998\n\n**How:**\n- Follow the technical instructions in Embraer Service Bulletin 120-30-0028"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-23-replacement-of-pitot-heater-power-wire","history":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-23-replacement-of-pitot-heater-power-wire/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-23-replacement-of-pitot-heater-power-wire/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-23-replacement-of-pitot-heater-power-wire/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-23-replacement-of-pitot-heater-power-wire/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-23-replacement-of-pitot-heater-power-wire/documents"}}