CSOBeech - Beechcraft Bonanza, Travel Air & Baron Wing Bolts


Bonanza, Travel Air, & Baron Wing Bolt Replacement Controversy
Many folks are beginning to report that their maintenance providers have begun insisting on Bonanza, Travel Air and Baron wing bolt replacement. This is no small task. The parts are pretty expensive and more importantly, the risk of disturbing what could be a fine factory rigging job can occur. It appears this trend is occurring due to there being more recent maintenance manuals citing wing bolt replacement in their recommended procedures and inspection sections. Here is the classic dilemma: "I'm doing the annual on my (insert model year here) Bonanza, Baron, Travel Air and my IA, who is pretty reasonable, says the wing bolts MUST be removed and inspected every 5 years and replaced every 15 years per the Beech maintenance manual. I thought all this was optional, but he says the Beech manual is clear and thus it must be done...." And so it starts.......... Here are FAA Legal Opinion documents that SEEM to suggest that unless a requirement is listed in the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA), they are advisory in nature and NOT mandatory. Here are the documents (courtesy of Beech Lister Mike T.) FAA Legal Opinion Document #1 FAA Legal Opinion Document #2 Here is an excerpt of Tom Turner's research on the issue of wing bolt replacement: The question frequently arises whether wing bolt inspection and replacement is mandatory in Beech piston airplanes. Federal requirements to comply with recommendations in manufacturers’ manuals (14 CFR 43.16) apply only when the recommendation is listed in the Limitation section of the manual, or if compliance is required as part of an Operation Specification for a commercial (i.e., Part 135) Air Carrier Certificate. I’ve researched this with ABS’ technical advisors, Beechcraft, FAA and others in the industry. Everything revolves around Federal Air Regulation (FAR) 43.16: § 43.16 Airworthiness limitations. Each person performing an inspection or other maintenance specified in an Airworthiness Limitations section of a manufacturer's maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness shall perform the inspection or other maintenance in accordance with that section, or in accordance with operations specifications approved by the Administrator under part 121 or 135, or an inspection program approved under §91.409(e). The unanimous response is that there are no specifically identified Airworthiness Limitations in Hawker Beechcraft’s maintenance manuals for ABS-type airplanes, and consequently that FAR 43.16 places no mandatory compliance requirements on these airplanes unless such requirements are specifically adopted as part of an Air Carrier Certificate (FAR 135 or 121). Therefore, Beech’s stated overhaul schedules are recommendations, not requirements, for privately operated airplanes under U.S. rules. The full text of Tom's comments can be viewed HERE Here is the wrench for torque of Beech Wing Bolts As for me, I'm not letting anyone change my wing bolts unless they show signs of corrosion or other debilitating anomaly. This wing bolt absolutely meets my personal standard for immediate removal Here is another tip for wing bolt swappers as relates to the anti corrosion coating that is referenced in some of the shop manuals: MIL-C-16173 grade 11 corrosion preventative compound Bonanza owner Bob N. suggests CRC SP-400 meets the MIL spec and is available at Amazon spec calls for. If the shipping costs of this product shock you, Old Bob has found that Grainger stocks the product for just a wee bit more than Amazon: "I started to order the CRC SP-400 from Amazon, but the shipping was over seven bucks per can. I checked at Grainger and they have it for a buck and a half more than Amazon. Guess I will stop by Grainger next time I am in the neighborhood!" WARNING: I am not an attorney, don't play one on TV and did not sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night. You are advised to make your own assessment of this information in conjunction with your responsibilities under the FARs to be the final authority as to the airworthiness of your aircraft. Consult a licensed A&P Mechanic before acting on any of this information.