AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE AD/CESSNA 170/72 Cigar Lighter Wiring
Cessna 170 · Service Bulletins
Overview
This document is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia concerning the Cessna 170 and related models. It addresses safety concerns regarding the cigar lighter wiring in these aircraft, which has been linked to incidents of unprotected electrical wiring shorting. The directive outlines the necessary actions to be taken to mitigate the risk of in-flight electrical failures, smoke, or fire. Compliance with the directive is required at the next annual inspection or within a specified time frame, ensuring that aircraft owners and operators are aware of the risks and the corrective measures needed to maintain safety standards.
- The directive applies to Cessna 170, 172, R172, P172, and 175 series aircraft.
- Cessna 170 serial numbers affected are 18000-20999 and 25000-27169.
- Disconnect the wire connecting the cigar lighter to the electrical bus as per the directive.
- Compliance is required at the next annual inspection or within 100 hours or 12 months, whichever comes first.
- The directive aims to prevent in-flight electrical failures and potential fires.
Document
Source
Originally published by services.casa.gov.au. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type
- Service Bulletins
- Year
- 2003
- Pages
- 2
- File size
- 16 KB
- Publisher
- services.casa.gov.au
Common. One of the most common aircraft types we track.
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the Cessna 170.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
Cessna 170 for sale now
Free — save the 170 to your watchlist and track it in one place.
More Cessna 170manuals & documents
- SERVICE LETTER 233Maintenance Manual
- AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVEAirworthiness Directives
- SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVESAirworthiness Directives
- AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVEService Bulletins
- SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVESAirworthiness Directives
- TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET NO. A-799Type Certificate
- SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVESAirworthiness Directives
- SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVESService Bulletins
- Instructions for Continued Airworthiness McFarlane Aviation, Inc. PMA Door Hinges, Cessna 170 SeriesMaintenance Manual
- Technical Sheet: Cessna 170Specifications
- Completion and Disposition of FAA form 337, & Field ApprovalsChecklist
- Cessna 170 Airplane Flight ManualFlight Manual
If you fly the Cessna 170, you may also be researching these.
In this document
Applicability
The directive applies to Cessna 170, 172, R172, P172, and 175 series aeroplanes with specific serial numbers. For the Cessna 170, the applicable serial numbers are from 18000 to 20999 and 25000 to 27169.
Requirement
The directive requires the disconnection of the wire connecting the cigar lighter receptacle to the electrical bus. Options for compliance include reconnecting the wire with a properly rated circuit protection device, removing the wire entirely, or insulating the disconnected end and securing it.
Compliance
Compliance with the directive must occur at the next annual inspection, or within 100 hours of time in service or 12 months from the effective date of the directive, whichever comes first.
Background
The directive was issued in response to reports of incidents involving unprotected cigar lighter wiring leading to electrical shorts. The measures outlined aim to prevent potential in-flight failures and enhance cockpit safety.
Safety notes
- Failure to comply with this directive may result in in-flight electrical failures, smoke in the cockpit, or fire.
Full document text
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES Page 1 of 2 AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section. Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172 and 175 Series Aeroplanes AD/CESSNA 170/72 Cigar Lighter Wiring 3/2003 Applicability: Model 170, 172, R172, P172 and 175 series aeroplanes with serial numbers listed in the following table: Models 170 172 R172 P172 175 Serial Numbers 18000 through 20999 and 25000 through 27169 28000 through 29999, 46001 through 47746, 17247747 through 17250572, and 17259224 through 17267584 R1722000 through R1722724 P17257120 through P17257189 55001 through 56777 and 17556778 through 17557119 Requirement: If not previously accomplished; disconnect the wire, at the ammeter or at the electrical system bus as applicable, that connects the bus to the cigar lighter receptacle. (The wire is connected to either the bus side or equipment side of a circuit breaker or to the ammeter). Following the disconnection of this wire either: a. Reconnect the wire to the electrical bus by using an existing or newly installed circuit protection device that is properly rated to protect the wire gauge used for this circuit, or b. Disconnect the wire from the lighter receptacle at the opposite end and remove it from the aeroplane, or c. Protect the wire by insulating its disconnected end, fold this wire end back against the wire bundle in which it is routed and secure it to that bundle. Note 1: The requirements of this Directive may have been previously accomplished in accordance with FAA AD 79-08-03 Amdt 39-3428. Note 2: For those installations reconnected in accordance with paragraph a. above, the proper rated circuit protection device to be used may be determined by consulting FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-1B Chapter 11. Note 3: FAA AD 79-08-03 Amdt 39-3428 refers. COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES Page 2 of 2 Cessna 170, 172, F172, FR172 and 175 Series Aeroplanes AD/CESSNA 170/72 (Continued) Compliance: At the next annual inspection, but no later that 100 hours time in service or 12 months after the effective date of this Directive, which ever occurs first. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 20 March 2003. Background: Incidents of the cigar lighter unprotected electrical wiring shorting have been reported overseas. This Directive requires either the deactivation of the cigar lighter or the installation of a circuit protection device. These measures are designed to prevent an in-flight electrical system failure, smoke in the cockpit, and/or fire in the wire bundle behind the instrument panel. James Coyne Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 7 February 2003 The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 February 2003.
What's in the Cessna 170 TCDS
A Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) is the FAA's record of what an aircraft type was approved as. It is the source of truth for weights, seating, fuel and the rules the design was certified against. Expand any line to see what it means.
261 Cessna 170 parts for sale
See all →





Parts listed for sale by vetted eBay sellers — confirmed on eBay at checkout.







