{"id":"F2012L00414","name":"AD/BEECH 55/98 Amdt 1 - Forward Elevator Cable","slug":"ad-beech-55-98-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":88531,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2012L00414-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Beechcraft 55, 58 and 95-55 (Baron) Seri","sectionType":"division","heading":"Beechcraft 55, 58 and 95-55 (Baron) Series Aeroplanes","content":"### Beechcraft 55, 58 and 95-55 (Baron) Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/BEECH 55/98 Amdt 1 | Forward Elevator Cable | 4/2012 |\n| --------------------- | ---------------------- | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | All Beechcraft 55, 58 and 95-55 (Baron) 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 55/98 Amdt 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/BEECH 55/98 Amdt 1","content":"## AD/BEECH 55/98 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":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original directive was broader, requiring mandatory replacement of cables over 15 years old and ongoing repeat inspections. This amendment narrows the scope by removing those continuing obligations after the manufacturer published proper maintenance instructions. The amendment also refines applicability by adding Figure 1 to more precisely identify affected aircraft configurations."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose directive focused on one specific mechanical component","Only 3 substantive requirements with clear compliance dates","Contains conditional logic for compliance timing (different deadlines based on prior maintenance history)","One cross-reference to FAA advisory circular and manufacturer maintenance data as acceptable compliance methods","Includes one diagram/figure for identification purposes","Some repetition and formatting artifacts in the source text (duplicate headers) that don't affect legal substance"],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires owners/operators of certain Beechcraft Baron (55, 58, 95‑55) aeroplanes with the cable configuration in Figure 1 to inspect or replace the forward elevator control cable and remove any defective cable from service. It responds to reported cable failures that can leave the elevator stuck and cause loss of control.\n\nThe amendment removes prior age‑based replacement and repeat‑inspection mandates because the manufacturer’s new Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness are now considered adequate."},"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Yes. This amendment narrows prescriptive AD controls by removing prior mandatory removal of cables over 15 years and repeat inspection intervals, instead relying on the manufacturer's Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness (Background). It also clarifies and limits applicability by adding configuration criteria referenced to Figure 1 so only aircraft with that forward elevator cable arrangement are affected (Applicability)."},"complexity_factors":["Applicability is configuration‑dependent (Figure 1) rather than by serial number, requiring operators to confirm fitment before acting (Applicability).","Simple binary corrective action: inspect or replace, remove defective assemblies, and ban reinstalling removed parts—clear operational mandate but requires hands‑on verification (Requirement).","Timing rules vary: 'before further flight' for defects, allowance of a single positioning flight if inspection location is remote, and carry‑over for aircraft previously inspected or replaced (Compliance).","Acceptable inspection standards are cross‑referenced to external documents (FAA AC 43‑13‑1B chapter 7 §7‑149(d) or Beechcraft maintenance data), creating reliance on technical manuals beyond the AD text (Requirement Note 1).","Amendment rescinds earlier mandatory 15‑year removal and repeat inspection intervals in favour of compliance with manufacturer Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness (ICA), changing the control mechanism from an AD mandate to ICA adherence (Background).","Some terminology (eg. 'maintenance release period') and the need to determine configuration from an illustrated parts catalogue may create administrative or interpretative burden for operators (Applicability, Compliance)."],"plain_english_summary":"This airworthiness directive applies to Beechcraft 55/58/95‑55 (Baron) aeroplanes that use the forward elevator cable layout shown in Figure 1. It requires operators to inspect or replace the forward elevator control cable, remove any defective cables, and prohibits reinstalling removed parts; inspections may follow FAA AC 43‑13‑1B or Beechcraft maintenance data, and in many cases must be completed before further flight (one positioning flight allowed to reach an inspection location)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-beech-55-98-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable","history":"/api/acts/ad-beech-55-98-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-beech-55-98-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-beech-55-98-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-beech-55-98-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-beech-55-98-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/documents"}}