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ABS Spar Web ABS Spar Web InvestigationInvestigation

Report to Wichita ACO/

FAA Small Airplane Directorate

Wichita, Kansas

July 23, 2009

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Mandatory Service BulletinsMandatory Service Bulletins

• MSB 2269 issued August 1989– Barons (except 58P and 58TC)– Travel Airs

• MSB 2360 issued November 1990– Bonanzas H35 and later– All Model 33 Debonairs/Bonanzas – All Model 36 Bonanzas

• Required inspection and repairs

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Airworthiness Directives

• AD 90-08-14– Incorporates MSB 2269 (multiengine)

• AD 92-08-07– Incorporates MSB 2360 (singe engine)– One time inspection– Required reporting to Beech

• No record of any data

• AD 95-04-03 – Repetitive inspections– No reporting

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Current AD InspCurrent AD Inspectionection

• Initial inspection @1500TT

• No cracks: every 500 hours thereafter

• Small cracks: every 200 hours thereafter

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  Survey Reported %          

Model Responses Cracks Cracked Notes        35 (O/IO-

470) 328 1 0.3% Short body, <3300 MGW    

35 (IO-520) 538 19 3.5% Short body, 3300 MGW or greater  

33 (IO-470) 163 4 2.5% Short body, <3300 MGW    

33 (IO-520) 182 8 4.4% Short body, 3300 MGW or greater  

36 25 4 16.0% Long body, MGW 3600 lbs    

A36 232 30 12.9% Long body, MGW 3600 lbs (3650 lbs 1984 and later)

A36TC 21 0 0.0% Long body, MGW 3600 lbs    

B36TC 21 2 9.5% Long body, MGW 3850 lbs    

Baron 55/56 218 34 15.6% Short body, twin-engine    

Baron 58 41 14 34.1% Long body, twin engine    

95 9 1 11.1% Short body, twin-engine    

ABS Member Survey ABS Member Survey

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Location of CracksLocation of Cracks

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FAA No-Crack Policy

• The Old Policy– For cracks found in structural components some ADs

have allowed continued operational flight if the cracks are smaller than a certain size.

– Inspection requirements will be more stringent for known cracks.

• The New Policy– Continued operational flight with known cracks in

primary structural components should not be allowed.

– Small Airplane Directorate will adhere to this basic policy.

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ABS PositionABS Position

• Known issue for two decades

• Current inspection process has ensured ongoing safety

• No history of in-flight failure

• ABS asked FAA for time to investigate

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