The FAA recently published Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-19-13 highlighting a serious concern with cracks and failures of flight control cable fittings that connect to turnbuckle barrels that is caused by stress corrosion cracking. The SAIB highlights the need to carefully inspect cable fittings for corrosion, cracks, and failures due to a number of recent findings by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), FAA, as well as efforts carried out by the American Bonanza Society. Please note this issue is not unique to only Beechcraft-specific airplanes. The material used in the construction of control cables is common to most makes and models and is susceptible to stress corrosion cracking.
It's important to note that a number of fittings have been completely failed when mechanics have removed the safety wire to closely inspect.
This issue was recently identified by the FAA FAASTeam through Notice NOTC8499 published on May 30, 2019. The Notice identified a number of failures found on several Beech Bonanza airplanes and recommended a short-term inspection of these cable ends on Bonanza as well as Debonair, Baron and Travel Air airplanes. Information received from the Bonanza Society reflects a number of additional cracks and failures being found on the aileron cable fitting located near a heat duct. This information has been shared with the FAA and is being assessed to determine if additional corrective action may be taken.
The FAA has also been working with the National Transportation Safety Board over the last several months following a number of aircraft incidents/accidents related to control cable failures associated with this type of corrosion cracking on various airplane makes and models.
The SAIB can be found at the following location.
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgSAIB.nsf/0/2d3ef566780561328625842b00621f13/$FILE/CE-19-13.pdf
For Further Information Contact:
David Hirt, Aerospace Engineer, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-4050; fax: (816) 329-4090; e-mail: david.hirt@faa.gov.
