# AD 81-05-01: Fuel Tank Capacity

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Cessna 152, 172N, 172P, 172RG, A152 and R172K
- Effective: March 2, 1981
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Small airplane
- Amendment: 39-4049
- Registered aircraft: 7,032 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/591D97B6E7306E18862569B9004D3638.0001
- DRS record last changed: May 30, 2024
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-05-01

## The airworthiness directive

81-05-01 CESSNA: Amendment 39-4049. Applies to Model 152, A152, 172N, 172P, R172K and 172RG airplanes certificated in all categories with the following serial numbers:

Model Serial Numbers 152 15283592 thru 15284627 A152 A1520879 thru A1520952 172N 17272885 thru 17274009 172P 17274010 thru 17274357 R172K R1723200 thru R1723403 172RG 172RG0001 thru 172RG0698

COMPLIANCE: Required as indicated unless already accomplished.

To reduce the possibility of fuel depletion due to incorrect fuel quantity markings within the next 25 hours time-in-service after the effective date of the AD, accomplish the following:

A) Visually inspect the airplane fuel tank access cover using Figure 1 to identify the fuel tank capacity.

B) When the actual fuel tank capacity has been determined:

1) Visually inspect the placarding adjacent to the fuel filler openings, to verify that these markings agree with the actual fuel tank capacity;and

2) Visually inspect the placarding adjacent to the fuel tank selector valve, and fuel gauge markings to verify that these markings agree with the usable fuel for the fuel tanks installed.

C) Paragraph A and B of this AD may be accomplished by the holder of at least a private pilot certificate issued under Part 61 of the Federal Aviation Regulations on any airplane owned or operated by that person provided the airplane is not used in air carrier service. An entry must be made in the Aircraft Maintenance Records indicating compliance with this AD.

D) Replace any incorrect fuel gauges, fuel tank selector valve placards and/or fuel tank filler placards with those compatible with the fuel tank capacity.

E) Within forty-eight (48) hours after compliance with this AD notify, in writing, the Chief, Aircraft Certification Program, Federal Aviation Administration, Room 238, Terminal Building No. 2299, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209 of any incorrect fuel gauges, fuel tank selector valve placards and/or fuel tank filler placards found during AD compliance. One acceptable means of making these reports is Malfunction or Defect Reports (FAA Form 8010). (Reporting approved by the Office of Management and Budget under 0MB No. 04- R0174.)

F) The airplane may be flown in accordance with FAR 21.197 to a location where paragraph D) of this AD may be accomplished.

G) Any equivalent method of compliance with this AD must be approved by the Chief, Aircraft Certification Program, FAA, Room 238, Mid-Continent Airport, Terminal Building No. 2299, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 942-4285.

This amendment becomes effective on March 2, 1981.

FIGURE I

Fuel Tank

Left Side Shown Right Side Opposite

## Affected data sheets (3) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS 3A12](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/3A12): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 2 of 18 models: 172P, 172N
- [TCDS 3A17](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/3A17): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 2 of 12 models: R172K, 172RG
- [TCDS 3A19](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/3A19): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 2 of 18 models: A152, 152

## Registered aircraft it may apply to (OpenAirDocs)

Matched by airframe and engine model; the AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment.

- Aircraft: 7,032 (7,032 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Cessna 7,032

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n): 3,138 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152): 1,637 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p): 1,111 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k): 653 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg): 445 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Cessna A152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a152): 48 aircraft (airframe model)

All 6 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-05-01/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-05-01/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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