A-93-042
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE BEECH AIRCRAFT CORPORATION: ISSUE A SAFETY COMMUNIQUE CONCERNING POTENTIAL EMPENNAGE FLUTTER TO ALL OWNERS OF BONANZA MODELS 35, 35R, A35, AND B35, BEECHCRAFT WHOLESALERS, AVIATION CENTERS, AND INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTORS. THE COMMUNIQUE SHOULD REFER TO THE RECENT ACCIDENTS INVOLVING N511B, N3081V, AND N3342V, EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING (PARTICULARLY IN MODEL 35 AIRPLANES) THAT THE RUDDERVATORS ARE PROPERLY REBALANCED FOLLOWING REBUILDING OR REPAINTING. PERTINENT INFORMATION CONCERNING PROCEDURES THAT MUST BE USED TO CHECK STATIC BALANCE, STRUCTURAL INSPECTION OF THE EMPENNAGE AREA, AND THE PREVENTION OF EMPENNAGE FLUTTER, SHOULD BE INCLUDED. THE COMMUNIQUE SHOULD ALSO OUTLINE APPROPRIATE OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED IF EXCESSIVE VIBRATION OR FLUTTER OF THE EMPENNAGE IS ENCOUNTERED AND INDICATE THAT ANY VIBRATION OR SHAKING OF THE CONTROL COLUMN OR RUDDER PEDALS IS ALWAYS CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND A MALFUNCTION THAT SHOULD BE RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The NTSB asks Beech Aircraft Corporation to issue a safety communique to owners of Bonanza models 35, 35R, A35, and B35, and to distributors, about potential empennage flutter. The communique should reference recent accidents involving N511B, N3081V, and N3342V, and emphasize the importance of properly rebalancing ruddevators after rebuilding or repainting. It should include procedures for checking static balance, structural inspection of the empennage, preventing flutter, and appropriate operational steps if excessive vibration or flutter is encountered, noting that any shaking of the control column or rudder pedals is a concern requiring prompt resolution.
This plain-language summary is written by FlightFinder to explain the recommendation above. It is not the official wording — the verbatim NTSB text is quoted above.
Details
| Status | Closed - Acceptable Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Feb 14, 1995 |
| NTSB number | DEN92FA028 |
| Addressees | Beechcraft (formerly Hawker Beechcraft) |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).