Commonwealth legislation

AD/CESSNA 180/74 - Instrument Panel Light Dimming Rheostat

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legislative instrument

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Requires owners/operators of Cessna 180H and 180J aircraft (serials 18051446–18052384) to replace the instrument-panel light dimming rheostat with an improved current-limiting, heat‑protected unit per Cessna Service Bulletin SEB92‑33 Rev 2. The stated aim is to reduce the risk of an inflight fire after an FAA-reported fire caused by a rheostat-controlled wiring short; compliance imposes a one-time parts-and-labour cost and short aircraft downtime for affected operators.

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AD/CESSNA 180/74 - Instrument Panel Light Dimming Rheostat

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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Cessna 180, 182 and Wren 460 Series Aeroplanes

AD/CESSNA 180/74 Instrument Panel Light Dimming Rheostat 3/94

Applicability: Cessna Model 180H and 180J aircraft with serial numbers 18051446 through 18052384 inclusive.

Requirement: Unless previously accomplished, replace the existing instrument panel light dimming rheostat (some installations will also require the fitting of a doubler) in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Cessna Single Engine Service Bulletin SEB92-33 Revision 2 dated 10 September 1993.

Note: FAA AD 93-24-15 Amdt 39-8764 refers.

Compliance: Prior to 3 October 1994.

Background: The FAA has advised of a report of an inflight fire in a Cessna Model 172.

The fire was caused by a short in the electrical wiring controlled by the instrument panel light dimming rheostat. This Directive requires the rheostat to be replaced with an improved version, which is both current-limiting and heat-protected, thus decreasing the probability of an inflight fire being caused by a defective rheostat.

Source text

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.

1 AD/CESSNA 180/74 - Instrument Panel Light Dimming Rheostat