{"id":"F2006L04085","name":"AD/LC40/1 - Thermawing Deice System","slug":"ad-lc40-1-thermawing-deice-system","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":61016,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006L04085-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Columbia (formerly Lancair) LC40, LC41 a","sectionType":"division","heading":"Columbia (formerly Lancair) LC40, LC41 and LC42 Series Aeroplanes","content":"### Columbia (formerly Lancair) LC40, LC41 and LC42 Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/LC40/1 | Thermawing Deice System | 2/2007 TX |\n| --------- | ----------------------- | --------- |\n\n| Applicability: | Model LC41-550FG and LC42-550FG aeroplanes, all serial numbers, equipped with Kelly Aerospace Thermal Systems Thermawing Deice System (also known asE-Vade) under United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA02260CH. |\n| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement: | 1. Deactivate the Thermawing Deice System installed under STC SA02260CH using the procedures detailed in Kelly Aerospace Thermal Systems Service Letter Bulletin No. SL-06-001, dated 15 November 2006. |\n| | 2. Fabricate a placard that incorporates the following words using at least 6 mm (¼-inch) black letters on a white background and install this placard in clear view of the pilot. |\n| | “DEICE SYSTEM INOPERABLE” |\n| | Note: FAA AD 2006-25-08 Amdt 39-26400 refers. |\n| Compliance: | For Requirements 1 and 2 - Before further flight after 21 December 2006. |\n| | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 14 December 2006. |\n| Background: | The FAA has received reports of problems with the installation of the Kelly Aerospace Thermal Systems Thermawing Deice System on Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Models LC41-550FG and LC42- 550FG aeroplanes following incorporation of STC SA02260CH.A short circuit condition at the deice heater connector to the copper mesh material imbedded in the composite aeroplane structure (for lightning protection) caused burning of the wings and horizontal stabilizer, which created holes in the structure. The short circuit was caused by insufficient removal of copper mesh when the deice heater connectors were installed. |\n\n| | This condition, if not corrected, could cause damage to the wings and horizontal stabilizer resulting in reduced structural integrity of the aeroplane. |\n| --- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n\n![](image.001.png) \nJames Coyne \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n12 December 2006","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/LC40/1","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/LC40/1","content":"## AD/LC40/1","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Thermawing Deice System","sectionType":"part","heading":"Thermawing Deice System","content":"## Thermawing Deice System","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"2/2007 TX","sectionType":"part","heading":"2/2007 TX","content":"## 2/2007 TX","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope — addressing a specific safety defect in a specific de-icing system on specific aircraft models. There is no evidence of scope creep; it remains tightly focused on the immediate safety issue of electrical short circuits in the Thermawing system."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 300 words)","Only 2 substantive requirements with clear procedural references","Single defined applicability criterion (specific aircraft models with specific STC)","No nested conditional logic or exceptions","Simple compliance deadline structure (single date for all requirements)","Minimal cross-referencing (only one external document reference to FAA AD and one service bulletin)"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD mandates immediate deactivation of the Thermawing (E‑Vade) de‑ice system and installation of a cockpit placard reading \"DEICE SYSTEM INOPERABLE\" on Columbia (formerly Lancair) LC41‑550FG and LC42‑550FG airplanes modified under FAA STC SA02260CH. \n\nIt was issued because improper installation caused electrical shorts that burned holes through composite wing and tail structures, risking in‑flight structural failure and requiring urgent grounding until the hazard is addressed."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive is narrowly tailored to address an identified installation hazard (short circuits caused by insufficient removal of copper mesh during installation). The actions required (deactivation using the manufacturer’s service letter and installation of a warning placard) align with that safety-focused purpose. It does not broaden regulatory scope beyond remedying the specific unsafe condition described in the Background."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability (only LC41-550FG and LC42-550FG fitted with STC SA02260CH)","Only two operative requirements (deactivate system and install a placard)","Single external service document referenced (Kelly Aerospace Service Letter SL-06-001)","Short, fixed compliance deadline (before further flight after 21 December 2006)","Minimal conditional logic and no nested exceptions or approvals in the text"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)**\n\n- Requires owners/operators of specific Columbia (formerly Lancair) aeroplanes to deactivate a particular thermal de-icing system and to fit a cockpit placard stating the system is inoperable.\n- The deactivation must be done using Kelly Aerospace Thermal Systems Service Letter Bulletin No. SL-06-001 (15 November 2006) (i.e. follow that manufacturer's procedure). (Requirement 1)\n- A placard reading “DEICE SYSTEM INOPERABLE” must be made with at least 6 mm (¼-inch) black letters on white background and installed where the pilot can clearly see it. (Requirement 2)\n\n(These actions are mandatory for airplanes described in the Applicability section.)\n\n**Which aircraft are affected**\n\n- Model LC41-550FG and LC42-550FG aeroplanes, all serial numbers, but only those equipped with the Kelly Aerospace Thermawing de-ice system installed under FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA02260CH. (Applicability)\n\n**When it must be done**\n\n- The placard and the deactivation must be completed before further flight after 21 December 2006. The directive itself became effective 14 December 2006. (Compliance)\n\n**Why the rule was made (official reason and risk addressed)**\n\n- The FAA reported installations where the Thermawing system’s heater connector created a short to copper mesh that is embedded in the composite structure (that mesh is used for lightning protection). Insufficient removal of the copper mesh when installing the heater connectors reportedly caused short circuits, burning and holes in the wings and horizontal stabiliser. The AD’s stated safety purpose is to prevent damage that could reduce structural integrity. (Background)\n\n**Who pays and who decides**\n\n- Aircraft owners/operators pay for the deactivation work and for fabricating and fitting the placard. The regulator (Civil Aviation Safety Authority delegate, in this instrument) enforces compliance. The deactivation method is specified by the manufacturer’s service letter, so the owner/operator must follow those procedures. (Requirement 1; Requirement 2)\n\n**How behaviour and operations change**\n\n- Operators must remove or render the Thermawing de-ice system inoperative until a compliant solution is approved. That removes the particular de-icing capability provided by that STC: operators will either avoid icing conditions, use alternative de-icing means, or seek a corrected/alternate STC or repair. Compliance is time-critical (before further flight after 21 December 2006), so affected aircraft are effectively grounded from operations in which a functioning de-ice system is required until the work is completed. (Applicability; Compliance)\n\n**Costs, incentives and trade-offs**\n\n- Direct costs: labour and any parts needed to deactivate the system and to make/install the placard; possible downtime costs while the aircraft is out of service.\n- Operational costs: loss of the installed de-ice capability may restrict flights in known or forecast icing, affecting revenue for commercial operators or utility for private owners.\n- Incentives: owners have an incentive to comply promptly to resume flying; they may also seek a corrected installation, a revised STC, or an alternative approved de-icing system if they need de-icing capability.\n- Implementation risk: the AD directs operators to follow a manufacturer service letter. That centralises the method of deactivation (reducing variance in how it’s done) but places reliance on the service letter’s completeness and on competent execution by maintenance personnel.\n\n**Compliance burden and discretion**\n\n- The AD is prescriptive and short-term: it mandates a single remedial action and a placard. There is limited discretion for operators beyond choosing who performs the deactivation. Any reinstatement or modification of the de-ice system would require appropriate approvals (STC/approved data). (Requirement 1; Requirement 2)\n\n**Notes and cross-references**\n\n- The AD references FAA AD 2006-25-08 as related material. (Note in Requirement)"},"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"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-lc40-1-thermawing-deice-system","history":"/api/acts/ad-lc40-1-thermawing-deice-system/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-lc40-1-thermawing-deice-system/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-lc40-1-thermawing-deice-system/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-lc40-1-thermawing-deice-system/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-lc40-1-thermawing-deice-system/documents"}}