Summary
This document proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 80-10-01, which is applied to certain Cessna Aircraft Company 180 and 185 series airplanes that are equipped with Airglas Engineering Company, Inc., (AECI) Model LW3600-180 single position or Model LW3600- 180A two position fixed penetration wheel ski installations. AD 80-10- 01 currently requires: modifying the ski bungee assemblies, safety cables, and check cables; limiting the maximum airspeed to 160 knots with skis installed; and installing an airspeed limitation placard. The proposed AD would retain the actions required in AD 80-10-01, and would require marking the maximum airspeed limits on the airspeed indicator; placing a supplemental airplane flight manual (AFM) and AFM supplement in the cockpit; and adding the Cessna Model 180K airplane to the applicability. Reports that certain airspeeds cause the skis to rotate into a nose-down position during flight prompted the AD action. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent one or both wheel skis from rotating into a nose-down position during flight, which could result in loss of control of the airplane and/or possible airplane damage during flight or landing operations.