TAKEYOUR CESSNA HOME

FOR SERVICE AT THE SIGN

SERVICE LETTER
MARKETING D VISION * CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY · WICHITA. KANSAS 67201
OF THE CESSNA SH ELD

March 1, 1974

AV74-3

SUBJECT: INSPECTION OF AUTOPILOT ACTUATORS

AVIONICS AFFECTED: Model PA-500A, PA-520A, and PA-520B Actuators

used in 300 and 400 series Cessna Autopilots and 300,
400 and 800 series IFCS
(See REMARKS for Actuator and Aircraft serial effectivity)
REASON FOR LETTER:

Attached is an important ARC Service Bulletin #171 requiring an immediate in-

spection of certain Autopilot and Integrated Flight Control System Actuators.
As set forth in the GENERAL paragraph of this bulletin, an immediate inspection
is required to prevent possible actuator binding and associated interference
with aircraft control system operation.

This bulletin should be studied carefully and appropriate action taken as set
forth below.
ACTION REQUIRED:

Affected autopilot actuators are to be inspected in accordance with procedures

set forth in the attached bulletin. Inspection is to be accomplished within
the following time periods.

1. AIRCRAFT WITH 300 OR LESS TIME SINCE AUTOPILOT INSTALLATION

Actuators on these aircraft are to be inspected within

the next 25 hours of aircraft operation.
2. AIRCRAFT WITH MORE THAN 300 HOURS TIME SINCE AUTOPILOT INSTALLATION

Actuators on these aircraft are to be inspected as part

of the routine 100 hour check. (Not to exceed the next
100 hours of aircraft operation.)

CREDIT INFORMATION:
A labor allowance will be paid for inspection of affected actuators provided
the work is accomplished and a credit claim submitted by the following dates.
Domestic and Canada ..... September 1, 1974
Export ................. November 1, 1974

Continued........
Page 2 of AV74-3
dated March 1, 1974

REMARKS:

1. Aircraft and Actuator Serial Effectivity

Actuator model and serial number effectivity is shown on the front page of the
attached bulletin. Corresponding aircraft serial number effectivity (based on
Cessna delivery records) is shown on the attached page.

2. Spare Replacements
All "shipout" actuators sold from SPC or direct from ARC as a replacement
part or in an Accessory Kit are also affected by this inspection program
if the actuator serial number falls within the affected serial block.

3. Reference Information

a. To assist field personnel in locating actuators on the various aircraft,

reference to aircraft Service Manuals is shown at the bottom of Table 1
of the attached bulletin.

b. For detail breakdown information on affected actuators, a reference to

Autopilot Service/Parts Manuals is shown on page 2 of the attached bul-
letin.

(Owner Notification System - No. 2)

ALL PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY

 AIRCRAFT SERIAL EFFECTIVITY

Aircraft models and serials listed below which have 300, 400 or 800 Autopilots/IFCS
installed are affected by this Service Letter and must have actuators inspected.
(See note 1 on the following page.)
17259287 thru 63027 21059200 thru 60089, 60091 thru 60104,
60106 thru 60155, 60157 thru 60163,
60165 thru 60167, 60169 thru 60171,
F1720780 thru 1004, 1006 thru 1009, 60174 thru 60176, 60178 thru 60180,
1012, 1013, 1015 thru 1033, 1035, 60182 thru 60184, 60186, 60187,
1037 thru 1039, 1041,thru 1044, 60189 thru 60193, 60196, 60198, 60201,
1046, 1047, 1049, 1050, 1053, 1054, 60202, 60204,thru 60206, 60208, 60212,
1056, 1057, 1060, 1062, 1066, 1068, 60213, 60215, 60216, 60217, 60227,
1070, 1072, 1076, 1079, 1086, 1090, 60228, 60230, 60232, 60233 thru 60236,
1091, 1094 thru 1096, 1099, 1102, 60238 thru 60240
1107, 1115

310Q0001 thru 1027, 1034, 1037

FR1720240 thru 0427, 0429, 0431,
0432, 0434, 0437, 0438, 0440 thru 0445,
0447, 0449, 0450 thru 0452, 33701290 thru 01532, 01534,thru 01567,
0454 thru 0457, 0462 01569 thru 01572, 01575 thru 01578,
01579 thru 01581, 01583 thru 01585,
01587 thru 01589, 01592
17701576 thru 02077

F3370020 thru 0063

177RG0001 thru 0442, 0444 thru 0502

P3370001 thru 0045, 0047 thru 0065,

F177RGOO01 thru 0095 0067 thru 0132, 0134 thru 0139,
0142 thru 0147, 0150, 0154, 0155,
0156, 0158, 0159
18052170 thru 52429

FP3370001, 0003, 0005, 0008

18260460 thru 62493, 62495 thru 62764,
62766 thru 62813, 62815 thru 62840,
62842 thru 62853, 62855 thru 62914 3400001 thru 0322

18501815 thru 02376 401B0001 thru 0221

P20600626 thru 00647 402B0001 thru 0445, 0447 thru 0508,

0510 thru 0525, 0527 thru 0529,
0531 thru 0547, 0549, 0550,
U20601447 thru 02265, 02267 thru 02290, 0552 thru 0558, 0560 thru 0567
02292 thru 02303, 02305 thru 02309,
02311 thru 02333, 02337 thru 02339
4140001 thru 0498
20700149 thru 00243
421B0001 thru 0559, 0561 thru 0573,
0576 thru 0579
 NOTE

1. The 400 Nav-O-matic Autopilot installed in the Model 310

utilizes actuator part number PA-511 and therefore is not
affected by this Service Letter.

2. The above affected serial blocks cover an approximate air-

craft yearly model spread of 1970 thru 1974. Aircraft
delivered from Cessna, Wichita beginning Saturday (2-23-74)
have had actuators inspected and therefore are not affected
by this Service Letter.

2
 E
FI L
DGINEERINGSERVILEC BUL I
E
N

ET N

To: ARC Service Agencies Date February 22, 1974 No. 171

Subject: Inspection of Internal Screw, to Avoid Any Possible Binding of Autopilot

Servo Actuator, Types PA-500A/520A/520B.

EFFECTIVITY:

A. SYSTEMS:

1. Series 800, 400, and 300 Integrated Flight Control/Director Systems.

2. Series 400 and 300 Autopilot Systems.
3. Yaw Damper System.

B. ACTUATORS:

1. All PA-500A below S/N 3000.

2. All PA-520A below S/N 2800.
3. All PA-520B below S/N 1500.

PRIORITY:

1. All aircraft with total time on autopilot/IFCS system of 300 hours or

less should be inspected at earliest possible time within the next 25
hours.

2. All aircraft with total time on autopilot/IFCS system exceeding 300

hours should be inspected at earliest possible time within the next
100 hours.

GENERAL:

The following recommended procedures for inspection and tightening, if necessary,

of the internal screw in the subject actuator units should be performed on units
as noted above. The subject internal screw, if not tight, may have a tendency to
"walk" (due to vibration) out of its holding threads far enough to jam against the
actuator housing, thereby impeding rotation of the actuator clutch gears. This
condition could ultimately bind the attached aircraft control surface.

Refer to Table 1 to determine procedure applicable to specific type aircraft and

actuator, and then proceed with paragraph A or B under PROCEDURES.

REFERENCES:

1. Attached Table 1, and Figure 1.

Aircraft Radio Corporation Boonton New Jersey .07005(201)334 1800

Page 2 FIELD ENGINEERING SERVICE BULLETIN #171

2. Nav-O-Matic 200. 300, and 400 Autopilots Service/Parts Manual (D815-13)

dated 1 March 1970.

3. 300 Navomatic Autopilot (Type AF-394A) Service/Parts Manual (D4513-13)

dated 15 March 1973.

4. 400 Nav-O-Matic Autopilot Service/Parts Manual (D4514-13) dated

April 1973.

a. Figure 5-1, PA-500A Actuator, Exploded View.

5. 400A Nav-O-Matic Autopilot Service/Parts Manual (D4522-13) dated

October 1973.

a. Figure 7-1, PA-500A Actuator, Exploded View.

b. Figure 7-2, PA-520B Actuator, Exploded View (also applicable to
PA-520A Actuator).

6. Integrated Flight Control System Service/Parts Manual (D4523-13) dated

October 1973.

a. Figure 7-1, PA-500A Actuator, Exploded View.

b. Figure 7-2, PA-520B Actuator, Exploded View (also applicable to
PA-520A Actuator).

7. Yaw Damper System Service/Parts Manual (D4504-13) dated January 1973.

PROCEDURES:

NOTE: The item numbers enclosed within parentheses, for example (124/67), in the
following procedures are to be interpreted as follows:

a. The first number, for example (124/-), is applicable to item 124

in the referenced exploded view diagrams for the PA-500A Actuator.

b. The second number, for example (-/67), is applicable to item 67

in the referenced exploded view diagrams for the PA-520A/520B
Actuators.

A. INSPECTION OF ACTUATORS NOT REQUIRING REMOVAL FROM AIRCRAFT:

1. Remove aircraft access panels or plates.

2. Remove actuator plate assembly (1/1).

3. Check screw (124/67) for tightness. If loose, tighten using

available special tool, or a locally fabricated tool per at-
tached Figure 1. It may be necessary to reposition the air-
craft control surface to bring the screw (124/67) into position
for inspection.

a. After tightening screw (124/67), apply glyptal on screw head

and re-install plate assembly (1/1). Also, verify tightness
Page 3 FIELD ENGINEERING SERVICE BULLETIN #171

of screws (109/51) and apply glyptal around these screw heads.

This completes inspection. Apply ¼-inch dot of white paint ad-
jacent to actuator nameplate (if readily observable) or on plate
assembly (1/1).

NOTE: Applicable to PA-500A Actuators only:

During inspection of screw (124), the electrical centering

of the Follow-Up potentiometer (81 or 96) may have been
disturbed. Before re-installing access panels or plates,
perform Actuator Centering adjustment procedures under
POST-INSTALLATION ADJUSTMENTS in the Service/Parts Manual
for the applicable autopilot/IFCS system. This does not
apply to PA-520A/520B Actuators.
b. If screw (124/67) cannot be checked for tightness or tightened
in place, proceed with paragraph B, below.

4. Re-install aircraft access panels or plates.

B. INSPECTION OF ACTUATORS REQUIRING REMOVAL FROM AIRCRAFT:

1. Remove actuator from aircraft, per removal procedures in applicable

autopilot/IFCS Service/Parts Manual.

2. Remove actuator plate assembly (1/1).

3. Tighten screw, apply glyptal on screw head, and install plate assembly
(1/1).

4. Verify tightness of the two screws (109/51) and apply glyptal around
screw heads.

NOTE: This completes inspection of the subject actuator. Apply ¼-inch

dot of white paint adjacent to actuator nameplate (if readily
observable) or on plate assembly (1/1).

5. Install actuator in aircraft per procedures in applicable autopilot

Service/Parts Manual.

6. Check control cable tensions and adjust, if necessary, to proper value

applicable to individual aircraft type.

7. For PA-500A only, perform actuator centering adjustments.

Reference: Actuator Centering procedures under POST-INSTALLATION
ADJUSTMENTS in the Service/Parts Manual for the applicable autopilot/
IFCS system.

8. Perform functional ground check (with engines running) to verify

proper operation of autopilot. Verify that the servo actuator can be
manually overridden, with autopilot engaged.

9. Re-install aircraft access panels or plates.

Page 4 FIELD ENGINEERING SERVICE BULLETIN #171

C. RECORDING:

Make entry in Aircraft Log Book, verifying that all applicable autopilot
actuators have been inspected and serviced per ARC Service Bulletin #171,
noting compliance with PROCEDURES paragraph A or paragraph B.
 e 5 FIELD ENGINEERING SERVICE BULLETIN #
TABLE 1

AIRCRAFT
TYPE ROLL ACTUATOR PITCH ACTUATOR PITCH TRIM ACTUATOR YAW ACTUATOR
LOCATION ON ACCESSI- LOCATION ON ACCESSI- LOCATION ON ACCESSI- LOCATION ON ACCESSI-
AIRCRAFT** BILITY* AIRCRAFT** BILITY* AIRCRAFT** BILITY* AIRCRAFT** BILITY*

172 St. 100.5 & 118.0 2

(Right Wing)

177 & RG St. 162 (Rt. Wing) 2

180 St. 100.5 & 118.0 2

(Rt. Wing)

182 St. 100.5 & 118.0 2

(Rt. Wing)

185 St. 100.5 & 118.0 2

(Rt. Wing)

206 St. 118 (Rt. Wing) 3 St. 138 (Fuselage) 2

207 St. 118 (Rt. Wing) 3 St. 138 (Fuselage) 2

210 St. 110 (Rt. Wing) 3

Cantilever

210 St. 118 (Rt. Wing) 3 St. 138 (Fuselage) 2 St. 138 & 152 3
(Fuselage)

310 St. 132 (Fuselage) 2 St. 132 (Fuselage) 2 St. 132 3 St. 177 3
(Fuselage) (Fuselage)

340 St. 95.5 (Rt. Wing) 2 St. 252 (Fuselage) 2 St. 252 & 266 3 St. 330 3

337 St. 150 (Rt. Wing) 2 St. 96.8 & 110.5 2 St. 96.8 & 110.5 2
(Lt. Boom) (Rt. Boom)

401B Insp. Plate #21 1 St. 273 Behind 2 Between St. 273 & 3
Lower Fuselage Bulkhead 289
 Page 6 FIELD ENGINEERING SERVICE BULLETIN #171
TABLE 1 (Continued)

AIRCRAFT
TYPE ROLL ACTUATOR PITCH ACTUATOR PITCH TRIM ACTUATOR YAW ACTUATOR
LOCATION ON ACCESSI- LOCATION ON ACCESSI- LOCATION ON ACCESSI- LOCATION ON ACCESSI-
AIRCRAFT** BILITY AIRCRAFT** BILITY* AIRCRAFT** BILITY* AIRCRAFT** BILITY*

402B Insp. Plate #21 1 St. 273 Behind 2 Between St. 273 & 3 St. 289 3
Lower Fuselage Bulkhead 289

414 S/N's

(001-350) Insp. Plate #20 1 St. 273 2 Between St. 273 & 3 St. 289 3
Lower Fuselage 289

(351 & on) Insp. Plate #20 1 St. 289 2 Between St. 289 & 3 St. 289 3
Lower Fuselage 306
421B S/N's

(001-300) Insp. Plate #17 1 St. 273 2 Between St. 273 & 3 St. 289 3
Lower Fuselage 289

(301 & on) Insp. Plate #17 1 St. 289 2 Between St. 273 & 3 St. 289 3
Lower Fuselage 289

* Accessibi lity column for the individual actuator indicates if actuator requires removal from aircraft as follows:
(1) Actuator must be removed for inspection.
(2) Actuator may be inspected on the aircraft.
(3) Actuator may be inspected on the aircraft, however the mounting bolts must be loosened and the actuator
positioned to allow adequate access.

** Actuator and station locations listed in Table 1 may be determined by reference to the following.
a. For single engine and Skymaster aircraft - Refer to station diagram in Section 1 of the aircraft Service
Manual, and to the appropriate autopilot figure in Section 1 of the applicable Avionic Installation Manual.
b. For multiengine aircraft - Refer to station diagram in Section 1 and the Utility and Optional System Section
of the aircraft Service Manual.
 Page 7 Field Engineering Service Bullentin #171

2½
45° 4 5

.O2OR. MAX.(TYP)

NOTES
I . PART MUST BE FREE OF BURRS.
2. Material: .032 Mild Steel

Figure 1. Angle Driver Tool