AD 56-20-01
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | Textron Aviation Inc. | E18S | Airworthiness Directives; Beech Model E18S Aircraft |
Unsafe Condition
The nuts on the tailwheel truss axle may not rotate when the gear is retracted, leading to potential distortion of the axle and excessive side play between the tailwheel truss and fuselage axle fittings exceeding 0.030 inches.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Required Actions
Check the rotation of the tailwheel truss axle nuts during retraction. If nuts do not rotate, remove the axle to check for distortion and replace if necessary. Inspect side play by loosening axle nuts; if exceeding 0.030 inches, install up to two washers between truss and fittings instead of tightening nuts. Ensure axle nuts are finger tight plus cotter key insertion.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Compliance Time
as soon as possible but not later than November 15, 1956
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Affected Aircraft
Beech Model E18S Aircraft, all serial numbers
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Federal Register Abstract
Tailwheel Axle
Applicability Source Text
Show captured applicability text from the source AD
AD Final Rules - DRS_56-20-01.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 56-20-01 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: Airworthiness Directives; Beech Model E18S Aircraft Subject: Tailwheel Axle Status: Current Citation: This information is not available. Citation Publish Date: Effective Date: Make: Textron Aviation Inc. Model: E18S Product Type: Aircraft Product Subtype: Small Airplane Affected AD: Superseded AD: Affected By: Superseded By: Service/Office: Office of Primary Responsibility: CFR Part Reference: Part 39 Comments: AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 56-20-01 CITATION: This information is not available. PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: AD NUMBER: 56-20-01 SUBJECT HEADING: Airworthiness Directives; Beech Model E18S Aircraft ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 56-20-01 BEECH: Applies to All Model E18S Aircraft. Compliance required as soon as possible but not later than November 15, 1956. The nuts on the tailwheel truss axle should be checked to determine that they rotate when the gear is retracted with the airplane on jacks. If not, remove the axle and check for distortion and replacement of axle if necessary. The side play between the tailwheel truss and the fuselage axle fittings should be checked by loosening one of the axle nuts. If total side play exceeds 0.030 the axle should be removed and a maximum of two washers between the truss and fitting on each side should be installed to take up the side play. The side play should not be taken up by tightening the axle nuts. As the axle is to rotate in the fuselage fittings the nuts should be finger tight plus sufficient turning to allow insertion of the cotter keys. (Beech Service Bulletin No. 22, issued August 8, 1956, covers this same subject.) FOOTER:
Document Text
Show stored source text (verify against official source)
AD Final Rules - DRS_56-20-01.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 56-20-01 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: Airworthiness Directives; Beech Model E18S Aircraft Subject: Tailwheel Axle Status: Current Citation: This information is not available. Citation Publish Date: Effective Date: Make: Textron Aviation Inc. Model: E18S Product Type: Aircraft Product Subtype: Small Airplane Affected AD: Superseded AD: Affected By: Superseded By: Service/Office: Office of Primary Responsibility: CFR Part Reference: Part 39 Comments: AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 56-20-01 CITATION: This information is not available. PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: AD NUMBER: 56-20-01 SUBJECT HEADING: Airworthiness Directives; Beech Model E18S Aircraft ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 56-20-01 BEECH: Applies to All Model E18S Aircraft. Compliance required as soon as possible but not later than November 15, 1956. The nuts on the tailwheel truss axle should be checked to determine that they rotate when the gear is retracted with the airplane on jacks. If not, remove the axle and check for distortion and replacement of axle if necessary. The side play between the tailwheel truss and the fuselage axle fittings should be checked by loosening one of the axle nuts. If total side play exceeds 0.030 the axle should be removed and a maximum of two washers between the truss and fitting on each side should be installed to take up the side play. The side play should not be taken up by tightening the axle nuts. As the axle is to rotate in the fuselage fittings the nuts should be finger tight plus sufficient turning to allow insertion of the cotter keys. (Beech Service Bulletin No. 22, issued August 8, 1956, covers this same subject.) FOOTER:
Source: Official FAA Source ↗
Retrieved: Apr 8, 2026
Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain
This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA. Always verify with official sources.