Raytheon (Beech) 
35 Series airplanes  
SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS
INFORMATION BULLETIN
No. ACE-98-22	January 15, 1998

Introduction
The purpose of this Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) is to advise operators of the importance of ruddervator balancing on Raytheon (Beech) Model 35 Series airplanes.

Background
There have been several incidents involving flutter of an unbalanced ruddervator on Raytheon Model 35 Series airplanes.  Fortunately, in each case, the pilot was able to recover from the condition by reducing power.  The proper and accurate balancing of control surfaces is essential to the safe operation of aircraft.  This is also the subject of Airworthiness Directive (AD) 94-20-04, applicable to the Model 35 Series airplanes.

Recommendation
In this SAIB, the FAA is recommending, but not requiring that ruddervators be balanced off the airplane whenever they are repaired or repainted (even if only stripes are added).  The ruddervators should be balanced using the criteria and instructions in Bonanza Maintenance Manual Number 35-590073.  In addition, all operators are urged to review the applicability and requirements of AD 94-20-04 to insure complete compliance with the specified requirements of that AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Litke, Aerospace Engineer, Federal Aviation Administration, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, KS  67209, (316) 946-4127.

This is issued for informational purposes only and any recommendation for corrective action is not mandatory.