FAA Issues AD on Vision Jet for CAPS Autopilot Function

The autopilot improperly engaged as a part of an automated process that precedes a deployment of the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System.

Julie Boatman

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 06:08 PM ET

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The CAPS on the SF50 requires the jet to slow below 130 knots indicated prior to deploying. [Credit: Stephen Yeates]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet's autopilot system, following instances where corrosion in the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) power timer circuit caused inadvertent activation of the CAPS autopilot mode.
This erroneous activation contributed to flight control issues and an accident, though the CAPS itself did not improperly deploy; the problem is an autopilot malfunction that can be manually disconnected.
The AD mandates disabling this automatic CAPS autopilot function and, for some aircraft, modifying wiring to remove the faulty power timer, requiring pilots to manually slow the aircraft before any future CAPS deployment.

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On March 6, the FAA issued an airworthiness directive (AD) final ruling, AD 2023-04-20, regarding the autopilot system on the Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet.

The AD encapsulated a previous service bulletin issued by Cirrus Aircraft Company on January 20, SB5X-90-14R1, following an inflight event in which the autopilot system improperly engaged as a part of an automated process that precedes a deployment of the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS).