Textron AD 2025-23-08: What You Need To Know

FAA Issues New Airworthiness Directive for SMA-Equipped Cessna 182Q and 182R Aircraft: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released a new Airworthiness Directive (AD 2025-23-08) that affects certain Cessna 182Q and 182R airplanes equipped with SMA SR305 diesel engine installations completed under Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA03302AT. This directive responds to multiple reports of damage found on intercooler inlet and outlet hoses - components critical to maintaining proper manifold pressure and reliable engine performance.

 

Why This AD Was Issued

The directive stems from incidents reported to both the FAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) describing cracking and deterioration of intercooler air hoses installed on SMA-equipped Cessna 182 aircraft. These hoses route compressed air between the turbocharger and the engine’s intercooler, making them essential for maintaining manifold pressure.

If one of these hoses cracks or ruptures, several hazards can occur:

• Loss of manifold pressure
• Reduction or total loss of engine power
• Potential need for a forced landing
• Risk of structural damage or occupant injury

EASA issued Emergency AD 2025-0230-E in October 2025 addressing the same unsafe condition. The FAA’s version mirrors the critical safety requirements but applies specifically to U.S.-registered 182Q and 182R models fitted with the applicable SMA systems.

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Which Aircraft Are Affected

This AD applies to:

• Cessna 182Q
• Cessna 182R

…but only if the aircraft is equipped with an SMA SR305-series diesel engine installed under STC SA03302AT, and only if they have specific hose part numbers listed in the directive.

The affected hose part numbers include:

• SP01170459-0
• SP01170385-1
• SP01170460-0
• SP01170386-1
• 1500004183-1
• 1500004182-1

Any aircraft with these parts installed falls under the directive’s requirements.

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What the AD Requires

Because of the potential for sudden power loss, the FAA is mandating the following actions:

1. Visual Checks Before Further Flight

Immediately upon the AD’s effective date, operators must visually examine the intercooler inlet and outlet hoses to identify any cracking. This process must then be repeated every 50 flight hours.

These checks must follow the procedures in SMA Service Bulletin SB-C182-71-011, Rev. 01.

2. Immediate Replacement if Any Cracks Are Found

If a crack is found during any required check, the hose must be replaced right away with a serviceable part. The AD defines a serviceable part as:

• A hose that is not one of the affected part numbers,
  or
• A new affected part with less than 500 hours since installation and that has passed the manufacturer’s required visual evaluation within 7 days prior to installation.

3. Mandatory Replacement at 500 Flight Hours

Even if an affected hose shows no visible cracking, the part may not remain in service beyond 500 flight hours since first installation. This ensures that time-in-service degradation does not lead to in-flight hose failure.

4. Installation Prohibition

Once the AD becomes effective, operators may not install any non-serviceable hose on the aircraft. Essentially, cracked or timed-out hoses cannot be returned to service under any circumstances.

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Cost to Operators

The FAA estimates that approximately 10 U.S.-registered aircraft are affected.

Estimated costs include:

• Visual check:
  • 1 hour labor ($85), no parts required
• Hose replacement:
  • 1 hour labor ($85)
  • Parts: $356
  • Total per aircraft: $441

While not insignificant, these costs are relatively modest compared to the safety risks involved.

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Why the FAA Issued the AD Without Delay

Under the Administrative Procedure Act, agencies typically allow for public comment before finalizing a rule. In this case, the FAA determined that delaying the directive would pose an unacceptable risk to flight safety.

With most affected aircraft nearing or exceeding the 500-hour threshold - and with the potential for immediate and severe power loss - the FAA issued the AD as a final rule without prior public comment. However, operators may still submit comments until January 2, 2026, and the FAA may revise the directive after reviewing them.

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Interim Action and Future Updates

The FAA acknowledges that this AD may not be the final step. As additional data is collected, further rulemaking may follow. For now, this directive is considered an interim measure aimed at preventing hose-related power failures during flight.

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Why This Matters to Owners and Operators

SMA diesel conversions offer notable benefits for the Cessna 182 platform, including improved fuel efficiency and exceptional high-altitude performance. But like any STC installation, continued safety depends on maintaining components to the manufacturer’s specifications.

This AD reinforces the importance of closely monitoring the condition of intercooler hoses and replacing them before age- or fatigue-related failures occur. Operators who stay ahead of these requirements help ensure consistent engine performance and safer operations overall.