EASA SIB CE-16-09: Honeywell (Bendix King) KCP 220 Autopilot Computers — Open Resistor

What to do

Owners, operators, and maintenance personnel should incorporate the relevant Honeywell Bendix King Service Bulletins for inspection and modification of affected autopilot computers. The service bulletins are KC 190/191/192-22-A0019, KC 193-22-A0005, and KCP 220-22-A0017. No specific compliance deadlines are stated, but timely action is recommended to mitigate the risk of autopilot malfunction.

Summary

The Honeywell (Bendix King) KCP 220 Autopilot Computers — Open Resistor Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB: CE-16-09) informs operators and maintenance personnel about a potential failure in certain Honeywell/Bendix King autopilot computers, including models KC 190/191/192/193 and KCP 220. The issue involves an open resistor (R259) that can cause inadvertent autopilot disengagement or failure to engage, with misleading annunciation to the pilot. This bulletin applies to autopilot systems such as KAP 100, KAP 150, KAP 150H, KFC 150, KFC 275, and KFC 325.

What changed

This SAIB introduces awareness of an airworthiness concern related to the failure of resistor R259 in specific Honeywell autopilot computers, which can lead to improper autopilot operation and incorrect pilot indications. It does not mandate regulatory action but recommends inspection and modification per Honeywell Bendix King Service Bulletins. The bulletin identifies affected part numbers and serial numbers and provides detailed failure effects.

Why it matters

This information is critical for aviation professionals because the failure can cause autopilot disengagement without proper warning or failure to engage while falsely indicating engagement, potentially compromising flight safety. Operators and maintenance teams need to recognize symptoms during preflight tests and understand the implications for autopilot reliability. Addressing this issue helps maintain safe autopilot functionality and prevents confusion during flight operations.