{"id":"F2006B03616","name":"AD/BEECH 18/18 Amdt 1 - Control Columns and Elevator Control Arm Assembly - Inspection","slug":"ad-beech-18-18-amdt-1-control-columns-and-elevator-control-arm-assembly-inspection","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":43207,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B03616-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/BEECH 18/18 Amdt 1 - Control Columns and Elevator Control Arm Assembly - Inspection","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nBeechcraft 18 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/BEECH 18/18\n\nAmdt 1\n\nApplicability: All models.\n\n  \n\nControl Columns and Elevator Control Arm Assembly - Inspection\n\n  \n12/87\n\nRequirement: Inspect the Control Columns and Elevator Control Arm Assembly as detailed in Beechcraft SI 0889-155. In addition inspect for cracks on the Control Column Assembly P/N 187510, tubing, outer surface for a distance of 11 cm up the tube above the lower welded tube splice. The same area on the co-pilot’s Control Column is also to be inspected. The inspection is to be performed using visual and either magnetic particle, or penetrant procedures; or\n\nFAA AD 77-19-07.\n\nCompliance: Within 100 hours after 31 December 1977 and thereafter at 300 hour intervals.\n\nFederal Register of Legislative Instruments F2006B03616","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The supplied text does not provide the prior version of the instrument or a comparison of earlier applicability. The AD as presented applies to all Beechcraft 18 series models and prescribes inspections, methods and intervals. There is no information in the provided text showing a change in the directive's scope compared to an earlier instrument."},"complexity_factors":["Short, narrowly focused directive with a single technical requirement (inspection of control columns and elevator control arm assembly).","Clear applicability: explicitly applies to all Beechcraft 18 models (reduces ambiguity).","Specified inspection methods are limited to visual plus magnetic particle or penetrant, or alternative compliance via a single FAA AD (simple options list).","Timing requirements are precise and repetitive (initial within 100 hours after 31 Dec 1977, then every 300 hours), so scheduling is straightforward but recurring.","Relies on external documents (Beechcraft SI 0889-155 and FAA AD 77-19-07) for detailed procedure, creating dependency on other sources for implementation detail.","Technical implementation requires access to NDT equipment and qualified personnel, introducing operational considerations despite the AD's brevity."],"plain_english_summary":"### What this instrument requires (mechanics)\n\n- This Airworthiness Directive (AD/BEECH 18/18 Amdt 1) requires inspections of the control columns and the elevator control arm assembly on Beechcraft 18 series aeroplanes (Applicability: All models). (Applicability; Requirement)\n- The inspections must follow the procedures in Beechcraft Service Instruction (SI) 0889-155. In addition, inspectors must check the control column assembly part number 187510 tubing outer surface for cracks for a distance of 11 cm up the tube above the lower welded tube splice. The same area on the co‑pilot’s control column must be inspected. (Requirement)\n- The inspection methods authorised are: visual inspection and either magnetic particle inspection or penetrant inspection; alternatively, compliance can be achieved by following FAA AD 77-19-07. (Requirement)\n- Timing: the first inspection must be done within 100 flight hours after 31 December 1977, and then repeated at 300‑hour intervals. (Compliance)\n\n### Who this affects\n\n- Operators and owners of Beechcraft 18 series aeroplanes: the directive applies to all models and requires these inspections to be carried out for those aircraft. (Applicability; Requirement)\n- The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the authority issuing the AD and is the regulator that sets the requirement. (Header: Civil Aviation Safety Authority)\n\n### Why it matters (stated purpose and practical implications)\n\n- The instrument’s title and instructions make clear its operational aim: to identify cracks in the control columns and elevator control arm assembly by mandated inspections. (Requirement)\n- Practically, operators must schedule and pay for recurring inspections, secure qualified personnel and suitable non‑destructive testing (NDT) capability (visual, magnetic particle or penetrant), and consult Beechcraft SI 0889-155 or FAA AD 77-19-07 for the detailed inspection steps. (Requirement)\n\n### Costs, incentives, trade-offs and implementation risks (mechanical description)\n\n- Who pays: operators/owners must arrange and fund the inspections and any subsequent repairs or downtime caused by defects discovered during inspection. (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance)\n- Compliance burden: inspections are periodic (initial within 100 hours after 31 December 1977, then every 300 hours), creating recurring maintenance effort and potential aircraft downtime. The directive specifies inspection methods (visual plus magnetic particle or penetrant), which require equipment and/or qualified technicians. (Requirement; Compliance)\n- Decision points and discretion: the AD requires compliance with Beechcraft SI 0889-155 or alternatively with FAA AD 77-19-07; within the AD the inspector/operator may choose among the listed NDT methods (visual and either magnetic particle or penetrant). The exact step‑by‑step procedures are in the external SI or FAA AD, which are not reproduced in this text. (Requirement)\n- Implementation risks and opportunity costs: operators must ensure access to the specific SI/FAA AD instructions and to suitably skilled personnel and equipment. Time spent on these inspections is time not spent on other maintenance or operations; defects found may require additional work and parts. (Requirement)\n- Concentrated vs diffuse effects: the directive concentrates obligations on Beechcraft 18 operators (a defined group); the cost of compliance is borne by those operators through maintenance expense and scheduling. (Applicability; Requirement)\n\nNotes on source and scope: this summary is drawn from the AD text: Applicability, Requirement and Compliance fields and the references to Beechcraft SI 0889-155 and FAA AD 77-19-07 are the operative authorities cited in the directive. The AD sets inspection content, methods and intervals but relies on the external SI or FAA AD for detailed inspection procedures. (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance)"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard, narrow airworthiness directive focused on a specific safety issue in a specific aircraft type. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating inspections for control column cracks."},"complexity_factors":["Single specific aircraft type (Beechcraft 18 series) with clear applicability","Straightforward inspection requirement referencing external technical document (Beechcraft Service Instruction 0889-155)","Specific part number (P/N 187510) and precise measurement (11 cm) reduces ambiguity","Alternative compliance pathway provided (FAA AD 77-19-07)","Clear compliance timeline (100 hours after specific date, then 300 hour intervals)","Limited conditional logic — essentially one requirement with an alternative method","Short document length (approximately 150 words of substantive content)"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive** — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for aircraft.\n\n**What it does:**\nThis directive requires owners and operators of **Beechcraft 18 series aeroplanes** (a twin-engine aircraft commonly known as the \"Twin Beech\") to inspect specific parts of the flight controls — namely the **control columns** (the pilot's control sticks) and the **elevator control arm assembly** (the mechanical linkage that moves the tail elevator).\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThese components are critical for controlling the aircraft's pitch (nose up/down). Cracks or failures in these parts could lead to loss of control and potentially a crash. The directive was issued after safety concerns were identified.\n\n**What must be done:**\n- Inspect the control columns and elevator control arm assembly following specific Beechcraft service instructions\n- Pay special attention to a particular control column part (P/N 187510) — check for cracks on the outer surface of the tubing, specifically 11 centimetres above the lower welded joint, on both the pilot's and co-pilot's sides\n- Use visual inspection plus either magnetic particle testing or penetrant testing (specialised methods to detect surface cracks not visible to the naked eye)\n- Alternatively, comply with an equivalent American FAA directive (AD 77-19-07)\n\n**Who must comply:**\nAnyone operating a Beechcraft 18 aircraft in Australia.\n\n**When:**\n- First inspection: within 100 flight hours after 31 December 1977\n- Repeat inspections: every 300 flight hours thereafter"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-beech-18-18-amdt-1-control-columns-and-elevator-control-arm-assembly-inspection","history":"/api/acts/ad-beech-18-18-amdt-1-control-columns-and-elevator-control-arm-assembly-inspection/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-beech-18-18-amdt-1-control-columns-and-elevator-control-arm-assembly-inspection/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-beech-18-18-amdt-1-control-columns-and-elevator-control-arm-assembly-inspection/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-beech-18-18-amdt-1-control-columns-and-elevator-control-arm-assembly-inspection/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-beech-18-18-amdt-1-control-columns-and-elevator-control-arm-assembly-inspection/documents"}}