Page 26 - June 2023

After reconnecting the aileron cables, we had to carry out a complete re-rig of the ailerons. We used travel boards to ensure the travel distance was correct on each side. We made sure the yoke was centered with each aileron in the proper neutral position – thus fixing his yoke problem.
Lessons Learned
Generally speaking, aircraft owners trust maintenance shops to keep their aircraft in airworthy condition; they are the maintenance experts. Still, you can’t totally ignore your gut feelings. In this case, the owner-operator knew something was amiss but felt trapped between a rock and a hard place. He took his King Air to a maintenance center for the wing attachment AD. He got it back with squawks that he didn’t have when he brought it in. He
returned to the service center and they told him nothing was wrong.
He was stymied at that point and maybe started questioning his own observations. In hindsight, his perceptions were spot on. I’m sure he learned a good lesson on paying attention to his gut.
A note about the shop involved: This incident happened many years ago. The shop was newly minted and opened to great fanfare, only to close quietly a few years later. I would like to think this shop was an anomaly among Beechcraft service centers.
I have always been reluctant to criticize other shops because I know how brutal the business of aircraft maintenance is. The challenges are many, and the stress is off the charts. On the other hand, discussion of the pitfalls and common mistakes made in King Air maintenance is what
I’m here to do. These are lessons for us all.
The Wing AD Today
I must say, I didn’t expect to be fielding calls about the Wing AD some 32 years after it came out. I assumed the King Airs to which it applied had the AD done by now. Ha! Haven’t I learned never to assume anything?
Some King Airs only fly 100 hours per year or get parked in a hangar for a spell. Maybe there are some which should have had this AD completed before now have somehow slipped through the cracks. This needs to be checked out right away.
Again, the serial numbers for B200s affected by this AD (also listed in the box on page 21) are: BB-1158, BB-1167, BB-1193 to 1203, BB-1207 to 1312, BB-1314 to 1334; BL-124 to 132; and BT-33. The serial numbers for 300s affected by this AD are: FA-2 to 190.
The AD can be found at drs.faa. gov or email me and I’ll send you the pdf file; it’s only two pages. I would love to hear back on what you find.
As always, safe & happy flying! KA
Dean Benedict is a certified A&P, AI with over 45 years of maintaining King Airs. He owned and ran Honest Air Inc., a maintenance
shop that specialized in Beechcrafts with
an emphasis on King Airs. Currently, with BeechMedic LLC, Dean consults with King Air owners, operators and maintenance shops on all things pertaining to King Air maintenance. This includes troubleshooting, pre-buys,
and maintenance management. He can be reached at dr.dean@beechmedic.com or 702-524-4378.
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24 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
JUNE 2023