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FAA Issues AD On Elevator Balance Weights On
Beechcraft Aircraft |
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August 20, 2013 - The FAA has issued an
airworthiness directive (AD) on certain
Beechcraft aircraft as a result of reports of
elevator balance weights becoming loose or
failing because the balance weight material was
under strength and did not meet material
specifications.
This AD requires inspections of elevator balance
weights and replacement of defective elevator
balance weights on models 58, 95-C55, E55, and
56TC airplanes and Hawker Beechcraft Corporation
Models 58P and 58TC airplanes. The AD becomes
effective September 24, 2013.
The FAA reports if left uncorrected the affected
aircraft could experience reduced flutter speed
and control loss of the elevator. It is
estimated that over 1,300 U.S. aircraft will be
affected by this AD at a cost of just under
$1,000 (Replacement of elevator balance weight 1
work-hour × $85, parts cost $300 and cost per
product $385).
Before further flight after September 24, 2013,
the effective date of this AD and thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 100 hours
time-in-service (TIS) until the replacement
required by this AD is done, inspection must be
done on the elevator balance weights for
looseness, failure, and/or working (smoking)
fasteners and inserts.
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Special flight will be permitted with the
following limitations: Maximum structural
cruising speed (V no) = Design Speed for maximum
gust intensity (V b) = 195 Knots Calibrated
Airspeed (KCAS), or V no=V b=195KCAS. This
special flight is not allowed into known
turbulence, and the duration of this flight
should not be more than a total of 10 hours TIS.
Effective September 24, 2013 elevator balance
weight assemblies P/N 96-610022, P/N 96-61022-5,
P/N 96-610022-7, and P/N 96-610022-9 elevator
balance weight assemblies, if originally
purchased from Hawker Beechcraft Corporation
also known as Raytheon Aircraft Company or
Beechcraft Corporation between January 1, 1996,
and December 31, 2005, may not be installed on
any aircraft.
Back in October, 2011 Beechcraft issued a
service bulletin on Model 58, Baron, Serial
numbers between TH-1768 through TH-2110. Baron
Model 58, 58TC, 58P, 95C55, E55, or 56TC
requiring inspection of the elevator balance
weight assembly every 100 flight hours or until
replaced. |
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