The FAA is ordering owners of some 200 and 300 series King Airs to inspect the rudder pushrod assembly to ensure the correct rivets were used. During a recent production ground run of a new B200GT “two rivets sheared off of a rudder control pushrod, causing the rudder control pushrod to fail,” the AD says. “It was discovered that an incorrect type of rivet may have been installed during installation of the rudder control pushrod end that does not meet the strength requirements of the type design.” The agency says the rivets could shear without warning at any time and cause the rudder to jam or a loss of rudder control. It estimates 89 aircraft are affected.
Both the inspection and repair, if necessary, are relatively involved, but Textron may cover costs under warranty. The inspection will take eight hours and if the rivets need replacing it will take another 16 hours to do that. Parts would be extra. The inspections must be done within the next 20 flight hours or within 30 days, whichever comes first. Full AD follows:
I am very happy to fly an older model Beechcraft built back when they still knew how to make airplanes. The sheet metal work is beautiful!
How could this not be covered under warranty?
Maybe safe is now optional.
Pay another $150K and your plane won’t fall apart when we push it out of the production hall. But wait! If you pay $300K more today we will guarantee that it won’t fall apart for up to 3 Months after purchase!