# AD 81-16-09: Elevator Control System - Type: Airworthiness directive - Status: Current - Products: Cessna 172N, 172P, 172RG, R172K, F172D, F172E, F172F, F172G, F172H, F172K, F172L, F172M and 8 more - Effective: August 13, 1981 - Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD - Product type: Aircraft, Small airplane - Amendment: 39-4182 - Registered aircraft: 5,360 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs) - FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/79377FCF8E597F80862569B9004D3BF8.0001 - DRS record last changed: May 30, 2024 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-16-09 ## The airworthiness directive 81-16-09 CESSNA: Amendment 39-4182. Applies to the following airplanes certificated in any category: Model Serial Numbers 172N, 172P 17271035 thru 17274523 R172K R1722930 thru R1723425 172RG 172RG0001 thru 172RG0789 F172 F17201750 thru F17202134 FR172 FR1720631 thru FR1720675 COMPLIANCE: Required as indicated unless already accomplished in accordance with AD 81-04-04, Amendment 39-4042. To ensure the integrity of the elevator control system, accomplish the following within the next 25 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD. A) Remove the MS24665-134 cotter pins, AN310-3 nuts and AN23-12 clevis bolts that attach both elevator cable clevises (forks) to the aft elevator bellcrank. B) Clean the mating surfaces of the bellcrank and elevator cable clevises (forks). C) Visually inspect to assure that there is clearance between the elevator cable clevises (forks) and bellcrank. D) Install the AN23-12 clevis bolts with the head to the right side for the upper bolt and left side for the lower bolt and the AN310-3 nuts removed in paragraph A. Install new MS24665-134 cotter pins. Assure that the elevator cable clevises (forks) can swivel freely. E) Check elevator cable tension, 30 ñ 10 lbs. F) Conduct operational check of elevator control system. NOTE: While Cessna Single Engine Service Information Letter SE80-78, Revision 1, dated July 13, 1981, pertains to this subject, the action required in this AD is more comprehensive. This amendment supersedes AD 81-04-04, Amendment 39-4042. This amendment becomes effective August 13, 1981. ## Affected data sheets (4) (OpenAirDocs) The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names. - [TCDS A4EU](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A4EU): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 10 of 11 models: F172F, F172M, F172H, F172L, F172N, F172E, F172G, F172D… - [TCDS A18EU](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A18EU): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 6 of 6 models: FR172G, FR172J, FR172K, FR172E, FR172H, FR172F - [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 ## 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: 5,360 (5,360 by airframe model, 0 by engine model) - Makers: Cessna 5,353, Reims Aviation S A 6, Reims 1 Models with the most aircraft: - [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n): 3,138 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) - [Reims Aviation S A CESSNA F172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/reims-aviation-s-a-cessna-f172h): 5 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna F172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-f172g): 2 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna F172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-f172h): 1 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna FR 172 J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-fr-172-j): 1 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna FR 172 K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-fr-172-k): 1 aircraft (airframe model) - [Cessna F172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-f172m): 1 aircraft (airframe model) - [Reims Aviation S A CESSNA F172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/reims-aviation-s-a-cessna-f172p): 1 aircraft (airframe model) - [Reims F172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/reims-f172k): 1 aircraft (airframe model) All 12 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-16-09/models.md Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-16-09/aircraft.md Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.