{"id":"F2012L00413","name":"AD/BEECH 50/34 Amdt 1 - Forward Elevator Cable","slug":"ad-beech-50-34-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":88528,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2012L00413-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Beechcraft 50 (Twin Bonanza) Series Aero","sectionType":"division","heading":"Beechcraft 50 (Twin Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes","content":"### Beechcraft 50 (Twin Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/BEECH 50/34 Amdt 1 | Forward Elevator Cable | 4/2012 |\n| --------------------- | ---------------------- | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | All Beechcraft 50 series (Twin Bonanza) aeroplanes fitted with 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 50/34 Amdt 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/BEECH 50/34 Amdt 1","content":"## AD/BEECH 50/34 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_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original directive imposed ongoing obligations: mandatory repeat inspections and automatic removal of cables over 15 years old regardless of condition. This amendment significantly narrows the scope by removing those continuing requirements and replacing them with reliance on manufacturer maintenance instructions (ICA). The scope shifted from prescriptive, ongoing regulatory mandates to a one-time inspection/replacement requirement plus reliance on existing maintenance frameworks."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose instrument focused on one specific mechanical component","Only 3 substantive requirements with clear conditional logic (inspect OR replace)","Simple applicability test (specific aircraft model + visual reference to Figure 1)","Limited cross-referencing (only references FAA AC 43-13-1B and Beechcraft maintenance data as acceptable inspection standards)","Clear compliance dates with straightforward exceptions (one positioning flight allowed for aircraft in remote locations)","Some repetition and formatting artifacts in the source text (duplicate headers) but this doesn't affect legal complexity"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires owners/operators of Beechcraft 50 series (Twin Bonanza) aeroplanes with the forward elevator control cable shown in Figure 1 to inspect or replace that cable and remove any defective cables from service (they must not be reinstalled). It responds to multiple frayed/snapped cables that can cause loss of control. The amendment removes prior repetitive inspections and the 15‑year automatic removal requirement because the manufacturer’s ICA now provides acceptable continuing airworthiness instructions."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Amendment does not expand the AD beyond its original safety purpose (preventing forward elevator cable failure). It narrows and clarifies the requirements: it removes the previous mandatory 15‑year removal and mandated repeat inspections (replacing them with reliance on the manufacturer's Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness), and it clarifies applicability by adding the Figure 1 criteria. These changes refine how compliance is achieved rather than enlarging the AD's substantive scope."},"complexity_factors":["Single-component focus (forward elevator control cable) limiting scope","Applicability depends on matching a diagram (Figure 1) rather than a simple model-year list","Three clear requirements (inspect/replace; remove defective; do not reinstall) with distinct compliance timings","Conditional compliance rules: earlier-compliant aircraft are grandfathered; one positioning flight allowed where inspection cannot be carried out on-site","External cross-references to other documents (FAA AC 43-13-1B, Beechcraft maintenance data, and manufacturer ICA) for acceptable inspection methods","Amendment removed previous age-based (15-year) removal and repeat-inspection conditions, introducing dependence on ICA adherence"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this AD does (mechanically):**\n\n- Applies to Beechcraft 50 (Twin Bonanza) aeroplanes that have the specific forward elevator control cable arrangement shown in Figure 1 of the AD.\n- Requires either an inspection of the forward elevator control cable assembly for wear, broken wires or corrosion, or the replacement of the forward elevator cable assembly (Requirement 1).\n- Requires removal from service (i.e. permanent disposal or replacement) of any forward elevator cable assembly found defective during that inspection (Requirement 2).\n- Prohibits reinstalling or using any cable assembly or parts that have been removed because they were found defective under Requirement 2 (Requirement 3).\n- Acceptable ways to carry out the inspection are specified: following FAA Advisory Circular AC 43-13-1B (chapter 7, section 8, para 7-149(d)) or Beechcraft maintenance data meets the inspection requirement.\n\n**Timing / compliance mechanics:**\n\n- If the forward elevator cable assembly has not already been inspected or replaced within the last maintenance release period, the inspection or replacement must be done before the next flight after 16 January 2012 (the original AD effective date).\n- If an aircraft is at a location where the inspection cannot be performed, one positioning flight (pilot only) is permitted to reach a place where the inspection can be done.\n- Any cable found defective must be removed before further flight. Parts removed as defective must not be reinstalled after the effective date of the AD.\n- Aircraft that were already inspected or had the cable replaced under the original AD are treated as compliant with Requirement 1.\n\n**Why CASA issued this AD (stated rationale and how the amendment changes the mechanics):**\n\n- CASA received a report of a forward elevator cable separation immediately prior to take-off; the elevator became stuck in the full-down position. Subsequent inspections found frayed cables in the same location on another aircraft and further unserviceable cables were reported.\n- The original AD required immediate inspections, replacement for cables over 15 years old, and repeated inspections. This Amendment removes the mandatory 15‑year removal requirement and the mandatory repeat inspections, replacing them with reliance on the manufacturer's Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness (ICA) as an acceptable inspection regime. The Amendment also clarifies which aircraft are covered by adding the Figure 1 criteria to the applicability clause.\n\n**Who this affects and who pays:**\n\n- Affected parties: registered owners/operators of Beechcraft 50 series aeroplanes that match the cable configuration in Figure 1, and maintenance organisations/personnel who perform the work.\n- Costs are borne by those operators: inspection labour, potential replacement cable assemblies, aircraft downtime, and logistics if a positioning flight is required.\n- The regulator (CASA) and the operator/maintenance certifier decide whether an aircraft is subject to the AD and whether the aircraft is compliant.\n\n**Behaviour the AD forces or encourages:**\n\n- Operators must check their aeroplane against Figure 1 to determine applicability, then inspect or replace the forward elevator cable assembly, remove defective assemblies, and not reuse removed defective parts.\n- Maintenance providers must carry out inspections in accordance with the specified methods (FAA AC or Beechcraft data) or the manufacturer’s ICA where appropriate.\n\n**Trade-offs, incentives and implementation considerations:**\n\n- Stated purpose: reduce the risk of unanticipated elevator control failure by finding and removing worn or corroded forward elevator cables (background and Requirements 1–3).\n- Cost trade-off: removing the previous mandatory age-based removal and repeat inspections reduces recurring costs for operators but shifts reliance to ongoing adherence to the manufacturer’s ICA. That lowers direct mandated replacement costs but places a continuing compliance burden on operators to follow ICA procedures precisely.\n- Incentives: operators who regularly follow ICA and maintenance schedules benefit from avoiding costly replacements; operators who under-maintain may face higher safety risk. The AD enforces inspection or replacement at a defined compliance point (before further flight) which aligns inspection incentives with immediate safety.\n- Implementation risk: correctly determining whether an aircraft matches Figure 1 (applicability) requires access to the parts/illustrated catalogue or Figure 1; relying on external documents (FAA AC, Beechcraft data, or ICA) means inspectors must have and follow those documents. If ICA adherence is uneven, the safety outcome depends on maintenance quality rather than on a blanket age limit.\n- Concentration of benefits/costs: safety benefits (reduced risk of elevator failure) are concentrated on individual aircraft and their occupants and broadly diffuse across the flying public; costs are concentrated on affected owners/operators.\n\n**Where to look in the AD for the mechanics:**\n\n- Requirement 1: inspection or replacement of forward elevator cable assembly.\n- Requirement 2: removal from service of defective cable assemblies.\n- Requirement 3: prohibition on reinstalling removed defective parts.\n- Note and background: references to FAA AC and Beechcraft maintenance data as acceptable inspection standards, and explanation of the amendment (removal of 15‑year removal and repeat inspection requirements; clarification of applicability via Figure 1).\n\n(End of summary.)"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-beech-50-34-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable","history":"/api/acts/ad-beech-50-34-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-beech-50-34-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-beech-50-34-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-beech-50-34-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-beech-50-34-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/documents"}}