{"id":"F2012L00415","name":"AD/BEECH 56/36 Amdt 1 - Forward Elevator Cable","slug":"ad-beech-56-36-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":88534,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2012L00415-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Beechcraft 56TC (Turbo Baron) Series Aer","sectionType":"division","heading":"Beechcraft 56TC (Turbo Baron) Series Aeroplanes","content":"### Beechcraft 56TC (Turbo Baron) Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/BEECH 56/36 Amdt 1 | Forward Elevator Cable | 4/2012 |\n| --------------------- | ---------------------- | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | All Beechcraft 56 series (Turbo 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 56/36 Amdt 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/BEECH 56/36 Amdt 1","content":"## AD/BEECH 56/36 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 AD required repeat inspections and mandatory removal of cables over 15 years old. This amendment narrows the scope by removing those ongoing requirements and transferring them to the manufacturer's Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness (ICA). The amendment also tightens applicability by adding Figure 1 to more precisely identify affected aircraft configurations."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose directive focused on one specific aircraft component","Only 3 main requirements with clear compliance dates","Contains conditional logic for compliance timing (different deadlines based on prior maintenance history)","Cross-references external standards (FAA AC 43-13-1B and Beechcraft maintenance data) as acceptable means of compliance","Amendment structure requires reading against the original AD to fully understand what changed (removed repeat inspections and 15-year replacement mandate)","Contains one exception (positioning flight allowance for aircraft in locations where inspection cannot be performed)"],"plain_english_summary":"CASA mandates inspection or replacement of the forward elevator control cable on Beechcraft 56TC (Turbo Baron) aircraft after reports of fraying and failures that can cause loss of control. Owners/operators must remove defective cables and may not reinstall them.\n\nThis amendment drops prior repeat- and 15‑year replacement requirements (now managed by manufacturer instructions), clarifies applicability with a diagram, and permits one pilot-only positioning flight to reach an inspection facility."},"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Yes. The amendment narrows and clarifies the original AD's scope. The original AD included immediate inspections plus mandatory removal of cables over 15 years old and continuing (repeat) inspections. This amendment removes the mandatory age‑based removals and repeat‑inspection requirements and instead relies on the manufacturer's Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness (ICA) as an acceptable compliance standard, provided the ICA is followed. The amendment also clarifies applicability by adding Figure 1 to identify the specific cable configuration covered. Mechanically, that shifts the instrument from a fixed‑age, regulator‑driven work mandate toward an arrangement where compliance depends on adherence to manufacturer maintenance instructions and correct identification of the affected cable configuration."},"complexity_factors":["Single aircraft family but applicability is conditional on the specific forward elevator cable configuration shown in Figure 1 (fitment‑based applicability).","Three distinct operative requirements (inspect/replace; remove defective; do not reinstall removed parts).","Cross‑references to external technical material: FAA AC 43‑13‑1B (chapter 7, s.8, para 7‑149(d)) and Beechcraft maintenance data / manufacturer ICA.","Conditional timing rules: compliance before further flight unless recent inspection/replacement already performed; allowance for a single positioning flight where inspection cannot be performed locally.","Amendment history that removes earlier mandatory age limit (>15 years) and repeat inspections, which changes the compliance landscape and requires reliance on ICA instead.","Figure 1 is required to determine applicability, creating a non‑textual element operators must interpret against their aircraft."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (in plain English)**\n\n- This is an airworthiness directive (safety order) directed at Beechcraft 56 series (Turbo Baron) aeroplanes that have a particular forward elevator control cable arrangement (the exact arrangement is shown in Figure 1 of the AD). (Applicability)\n\n- It requires operators to either inspect the forward elevator control cable assembly for wear, broken wires and corrosion, or to replace the forward elevator cable assembly. If an inspection shows the cable is defective, the cable must be taken out of service (removed). Parts removed as defective must not be re‑installed on any aircraft. (Requirement 1–3)\n\n- The AD accepts specific inspection methods as compliant: either FAA Advisory Circular AC 43‑13‑1B (chapter 7, section 8, para 7‑149(d)) or the manufacturer’s (Beechcraft) maintenance data. (Note 1)\n\n**Who is affected**\n\n- Owners and operators of Beechcraft 56 series (Turbo Baron) aeroplanes that match the forward elevator cable configuration depicted in Figure 1 of the AD. Maintenance organisations and mechanics who perform inspections and repairs on those aeroplanes are also affected because they must use the accepted inspection methods or follow Beechcraft maintenance data. (Applicability; Note 1)\n\n**When inspections or actions must be done**\n\n- If the aircraft has not had the forward elevator cable assembly replaced or inspected within the last maintenance release period, the inspection (or replacement) must be done before the next flight after the original AD effective date. If the aircraft cannot be inspected where it is located, one positioning flight with only the pilot aboard is permitted to get the aircraft to a place where the inspection can be carried out. (Compliance)\n\n- If an inspection finds the cable defective, the defective part must be removed before further flight. (Requirement 2)\n\n- Removed defective cable assemblies or parts may not be reinstalled after the effective date of the AD. (Requirement 3)\n\n**Why CASA issued this AD (stated factual background)**\n\n- CASA received reports of forward elevator cable failures (including one separation immediately prior to take‑off) and other cables found badly frayed. The original AD required immediate inspections and removal of cables over 15 years old and mandated continuing inspections to reduce the risk of unanticipated elevator control failure. (Background)\n\n- After the manufacturer published Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness (ICA), the age‑based mandatory removals and the repeat‑inspection mandates from the original AD were removed on the basis that adherence to the ICA provides an acceptable level of safety. This amendment also clarifies applicability by adding additional criteria (Figure 1) to help operators determine whether the AD applies to their aircraft. (Background; Amendment notes)\n\n**Who pays and who decides**\n\n- Aircraft owners/operators pay for inspections and any replacement cables and the labour to fit them. Maintenance providers decide how to carry out the inspection subject to the accepted methods (FAA AC or Beechcraft maintenance data) and the ICA. CASA is the regulator that issued the AD and enforces compliance. (Requirement 1; Note 1; Compliance)\n\n**Mechanics of compliance and the practical trade‑offs**\n\n- Inspections can be used instead of immediate replacement, reducing up‑front costs where cables are serviceable. If a cable is defective it must be removed, which can ground an aircraft until a replacement is fitted. Allowing one positioning flight reduces the logistical cost of ferrying an aircraft to an inspection facility.\n\n- The AD cross‑references external technical documents (FAA AC and Beechcraft data). Operators relying on the manufacturer’s ICA must follow it to remain compliant; removing the age‑based mandatory replacement reduces immediate replacement costs but shifts reliance to those continuing airworthiness instructions.\n\n**Implementation risks and effects on private choice**\n\n- The AD increases ongoing maintenance attention and possible parts expenditure for affected operators. Availability of replacement cable assemblies and suitably qualified maintenance personnel can affect how quickly operators can comply and the out‑of‑service time for aircraft.\n\n- Reliance on manufacturer ICA rather than a fixed age limit introduces judgement and recordkeeping obligations: operators must be able to show inspections were done in accordance with the ICA or the referenced accepted procedures.\n\n(References: Applicability; Requirement 1–3; Note 1; Compliance; Background; Figure 1.)"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-beech-56-36-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable","history":"/api/acts/ad-beech-56-36-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-beech-56-36-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-beech-56-36-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-beech-56-36-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-beech-56-36-amdt-1-forward-elevator-cable/documents"}}