Cessna-Style Rocker Switch (ON-OFF) | Replaces S2160-1, S1824-1

SAIB: CE-09-42

Date: July 24, 2009

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) is being issued to advise you of an

airworthiness concern on mandatory replacement intervals of Cessna Landing Light, Beacon Light,

and Taxi Light switches on Cessna 100, 200, and 300 series airplanes specified per Cessna service

bulletins MEB09-3 and SEB09-6 dated May 11, 2009.

At this time, this airworthiness concern is not considered an unsafe condition that would warrant an

airworthiness directive (AD) action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR part

39).

Background

Cessna 100, 200, and 300 series airplanes utilize switches in the Landing Light, Beacon Light, and

Taxi Light circuits that have been reported failing in the field causing overheating and smoke in the

cockpit. There have been reports of burned insulation on the wiring terminals to the switch. On at

least one occasion, there was a small fire in the cockpit. The failure in these applications can be

attributed to contact erosion leading to irregular arcing and eventual failure of the switch. The contact

erosion has been shown to occur after approximately 4,000 cycles of operation.

Cessna service bulletins SEB09-6 and MEB09-3, initial release, dated May 11, 2009, specify the

following:

• An inspection to determine time-in-service for the switches.

• Replacement of switches that have been in service for four or more years with the month and

year of the installation written on the new replacement switch.

• The month and year of the initial installation written on switches that have been in service for

less than four years.

Recommendations

The FAA recommends that owners, operators, and maintenance technicians do the actions of the

above-referenced service bulletins within the next 400 hours of operation, 12 months, or the next

annual inspection, whichever comes first.