{"id":"F2012L00412","name":"AD/BEECH 36/54 Amdt 1 - Forward Elevator Cable","slug":"ad-beech-36-54-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":88525,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2012L00412-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Beechcraft 36 (Bonanza) Series Aeroplane","sectionType":"division","heading":"Beechcraft 36 (Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes","content":"### Beechcraft 36 (Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/BEECH 36/54 Amdt 1 | Forward Elevator Cable | 4/2012 |\n| --------------------- | ---------------------- | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | All Beechcraft 36 (Bonanza) aeroplanes fitted with the forward elevator control cable configuration as detailed in figure 1 of this AD. |\n| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement: | 1. Inspect the forward elevator control cable assembly for wear, broken wires and corrosion; or replace the forward elevator cable assembly.2. Remove from service any forward elevator control cable assembly found to be defective as a result of inspection conducted in accordance with Requirement 1 of this AD.3. Do not install on any aircraft a cable assembly or parts thereof that have been removed in accordance with Requirement 2 of this AD.Note 1: Inspections carried out in accordance with FAA AC 43-13-1B, chapter 7, Section 8, paragraph 7-149(d) or Beechcraft maintenance data are an acceptable means of compliance for the inspection called up by Requirement 1 of this AD. |\n| Compliance: | For Requirement 1.For those aircraft that have not had the forward elevator cable assembly replaced or inspected within the last maintenance release period - Remains unchanged as - Before further flight after the 16 January 2012 (the effective date of the original issue of this AD).For those aircraft located where the inspection cannot be carried out - one positioning flight (pilot only) is allowed to a place where the inspection can be carried out.Aircraft that have had the forward elevator cable assembly replaced or inspected in accordance with the original issue of this AD are considered to be in compliance with Requirement 1 of this AD. |\n\n| | For Requirement 2. Before further flight.For Requirement 3. After the effective date of this AD. |\n| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| | This Amendment becomes effective on 27 February 2012. |\n| Background: | CASA has received a report describing a forward elevator cable failure (separation) immediately prior to take-off. The elevator remained firmly in the full ‘down’ position due to system spring tension.A second aircraft was inspected at the owner’s request immediately following the discovery of the failed cable. The forward elevator cable in this aircraft was found to be extensively frayed in the same location as the failed cable.Since the original issue of this AD, CASA has received reports of 5 more cables found to be unserviceable.This AD required immediate inspection of the forward elevator cable and replacement for elevator cables over 15 years old, and required continuing inspections of the entire elevator control system to preclude the unanticipated failure of the elevator flight control system which may result in loss of control of the aircraft.Requirements for repeat inspections and the mandatory removal of cables in excess of 15 years in service have been removed from this AD following the publication of Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness (ICA) by the manufacturer. Those ICA are considered satisfactory to ensure the failure of the elevator cable does not occur provided that the ICA is adhered to during the inspection process.This Amendment clarifies the applicability section of the AD by introducing additional criteria (Figure 1) to assist the registered operator in determining whether this AD is applicable to their aircraft.The original issue of this AD became effective on 16 January 2012. |\n| | |\n| | Figure 1 - Forward Elevator Control Cable - Adaptedfrom Beechcraft Illustrated Parts Catalogue. |\n\n![](image.002.png) \nPeter Boyd \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n23 February 2012","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/BEECH 36/54 Amdt 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/BEECH 36/54 Amdt 1","content":"## AD/BEECH 36/54 Amdt 1","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Forward Elevator Cable","sectionType":"part","heading":"Forward Elevator Cable","content":"## Forward Elevator Cable","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4/2012","sectionType":"part","heading":"4/2012","content":"## 4/2012","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This Amendment narrowed and clarified the previous AD. The original AD required repeat inspections and mandatory removal of cables over 15 years old. Following publication of the manufacturer's Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness (ICA), those age-based and repeat-inspection mandates were removed and compliance was made acceptable via adherence to the manufacturer's ICA or the referenced FAA AC/maintenance data. The Amendment also clarifies applicability by adding Figure 1 criteria to help operators determine whether their aircraft are affected. In short, the Amendment reduced the AD's prescriptive scope (removed the blanket age and repeat-inspection rules) while improving clarity on which aircraft are covered."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-issue AD focused on one component (forward elevator control cable)","One illustrative figure (Figure 1) used to determine applicability","Three principal operative requirements (inspect/replace; remove defective; do not reinstall removed parts)","A limited number of conditional rules (one permitted positioning flight; different timing if previously inspected/replaced)","Cross-reference to external maintenance guidance (FAA AC 43-13-1B and Beechcraft maintenance data / ICA) rather than extensive procedural text","Amendment removed prior age-based removal and repeat inspection mandates, introducing reliance on manufacturer ICA (some conditional complexity)","Few exceptions or nested conditions (minimal branching logic)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanics)\n\n- Applies to: All Beechcraft 36 (Bonanza) aeroplanes that have the specific forward elevator control cable layout shown in Figure 1 of the AD. The figure is used to help operators decide whether the AD applies to their aircraft.\n\n- Required actions: \n - Inspect the forward elevator control cable assembly for wear, broken wires and corrosion, or replace the entire forward elevator cable assembly (Requirement 1). \n - Remove from service any forward elevator control cable assembly found to be defective after the inspection (Requirement 2). \n - Do not reinstall any cable assembly or part that has been removed because it was found defective (Requirement 3). \n - The AD notes that following the inspection methods in FAA AC 43-13-1B (chapter 7, section 8, para 7-149(d)) or Beechcraft maintenance data satisfies the inspection requirement.\n\n- Timing / compliance: \n - If an aircraft has not already had the forward elevator cable assembly replaced or inspected in the current maintenance release period, the required inspection must be completed before the next flight after the original AD date (the original AD took effect 16 January 2012). \n - If the aircraft is located where the inspection cannot be performed immediately, a single positioning flight (pilot only) is permitted to move the aircraft to a place where the inspection can be done. \n - Any cable found defective must be removed from service before further flight. \n - Prohibition on reinstalling removed parts applies from the effective date of the AD (this Amendment effective 27 February 2012).\n\n**Who this affects\n\n- Primary duty-bearers: Registered operators and owners of Beechcraft 36 (Bonanza) aircraft that have the forward elevator control cable configuration shown in Figure 1. Maintenance providers who carry out inspections and replacements are also affected.\n\n- Who pays / who decides: Aircraft owners/operators pay for the inspection and any replacement. The registered operator is responsible for determining applicability (using Figure 1) and for compliance. CASA (the Civil Aviation Safety Authority) enforces the AD.\n\n**Why it matters (claimed purpose and what it changes in behaviour)\n\n- Stated purpose (from CASA): The AD responds to reported forward elevator cable failures and fraying that could leave the elevator jammed, creating a risk of loss of control. The AD requires inspection or replacement to prevent an unanticipated failure of the elevator control system.\n\n- Behavioural effect: Operators must inspect and, where necessary, replace forward elevator cables; defective cables must be retired and not reused. Operators will need to identify affected aircraft using the provided figure and either perform inspections according to the referenced maintenance guidance or replace the assembly.\n\n**Trade-offs, costs and implementation notes (testing the purpose-claim)\n\n- Direct costs: Inspection time, potential replacement cable assemblies and associated labour, aircraft downtime. Owners/operators bear these costs. Maintenance shops and parts suppliers will see increased demand for inspections and replacement parts.\n\n- Implementation risk: Correctly identifying whether an aircraft has the cable configuration in Figure 1 is material to applicability. The AD relies on operators and maintenance personnel applying the correct inspection standards (FAA AC or Beechcraft data). Human error in identification or inspection could leave unsafe cables in service.\n\n- Compliance burden and discretion: The AD prescribes inspection or replacement but leaves method details to accepted maintenance guidance (FAA AC 43-13-1B or Beechcraft maintenance data). That delegation reduces prescriptive detail but requires qualified maintenance personnel to interpret and apply the guidance.\n\n- Trade-offs addressed by the Amendment: The Amendment removed previous requirements for mandatory repeat inspections and forced removal of cables older than 15 years after the manufacturer issued Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness (ICA). CASA treats adherence to the manufacturer’s ICA as satisfactory compliance, which narrows the AD’s earlier prescriptive reach but shifts reliance onto the manufacturer’s maintenance regime.\n\n**Practical consequences to highlight for operators\n\n- If you operate a Beechcraft 36, check Figure 1 to see if your aircraft is covered. \n- If covered and not already inspected in the current maintenance release, schedule an inspection before the next flight (or perform a single positioning flight if necessary to reach an inspection facility). \n- Remove and do not reinstall any cable found defective. \n- Keep records showing inspection or replacement and the guidance used (FAA AC or Beechcraft maintenance data / ICA).\n\n(References in the AD: Requirement 1, Requirement 2, Requirement 3, Note 1, Background; Amendment effective date 27 February 2012.)"},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original AD imposed ongoing obligations including repeat inspections and mandatory removal of cables over 15 years old. This amendment significantly narrows the scope by removing those continuing airworthiness requirements, relying instead on manufacturer-published Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness. The scope has shifted from prescriptive, regulator-mandated ongoing maintenance to a one-time inspection/replacement action plus reliance on manufacturer maintenance data."},"complexity_factors":["Short, focused scope — applies only to one specific aircraft type and one specific component","Clear, numbered requirements (only 3 main requirements)","Simple conditional logic (if inspected recently, comply; if not, inspect before flight)","One cross-reference to external technical standards (FAA AC 43-13-1B and Beechcraft maintenance data)","Minimal defined terms — only standard aviation terminology used","Single amendment with straightforward clarifying purpose (adding Figure 1 for applicability)","No nested exceptions or complex temporal calculations beyond simple date references"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires owners/operators of Beechcraft 36 (Bonanza) aeroplanes that have the forward elevator control cable configuration shown in the directive’s figure to inspect or replace that cable and remove any defective cables from service. It responds to reported cable fraying and failures that can jam the elevator and cause loss of control. Amendment 1 narrows applicability with a diagram and removes previous repetitive/age-based replacement rules now covered by the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-beech-36-54-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable","history":"/api/acts/ad-beech-36-54-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-beech-36-54-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-beech-36-54-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-beech-36-54-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-beech-36-54-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/documents"}}