Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell KC 225 Automatic Flight Control Systems

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Honeywell KC 225 automatic flight control systems (AFCS) that are installed on airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect the KC 225 AFCS to determine the computer modifications (Mods) that are incorporated, deactivate any units with only Mods 1 and/or 2 incorporated, and fabricate and install an appropriate placard if the unit is deactivated/inoperative. The AD would provide, as an alternative method of compliance, the option of installing a unit that incorporated MOD 3 or higher. This AD is the result of several reports that the AFCS is disconnecting without warning in a gross mistrim configuration. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent an undesirable autotrim command that the autopilot cannot detect in the required time. The airplane could then deviate from the selected altitude or the autopilot could disconnect without warning, which could result in heavy loads at the control column. Such loads in the pitch axis could result in loss of control of the airplane.