# AD 49-29-02: Rudder Spring Bushings

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Textron D18C, D18C-T and D18S
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Small airplane
- Registered aircraft: 55 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/2D630D51D1CCF27E86256A1C0072D7F0.0001
- DRS record last changed: January 21, 2026
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/49-29-02

## The airworthiness directive

49-29-02 BEECH: Applies to All Models D18S, D18C and D18C-T Aircraft.

Compliance required not later than December 1, 1949.

Inspect the control linkages with rudder return springs for wear at the forward end of the springs. If the linkages are worn 1/32 inch or more below the surface for half the tube circumference or greater they should be replaced, otherwise the linkage is considered serviceable. Synthetic rubber bushings should be installed between the springs and the linkages at the forward end of the spring to prevent further wearing of the linkages. To hold the bushings, retaining clips should be installed over the ends of the springs and the last coil of the spring closed by tack welding to prevent the clip from backing off.

If the rudder return springs have not been installed previously on the rudder control linkages the complete linkages should be replaced with those incorporating springs and synthetic bushings. It will also be necessary to install spring brackets to the rear stabilizer spar.

(Beech Service Bulletin D18-54 covers this same subject and cancels and supersedes Service Bulletins D18-36 and D18-50 and Service Letter D18-26.)

This supersedes AD 47-51-09.

## Affected data sheets (2) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS A-765](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A-765): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 2 of 17 models: D18S, D18C
- [TCDS TC 770](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/TC%20770): Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; names 1 of 2 models: D18C-T

## Registered aircraft it may apply to (OpenAirDocs)

Matched by airframe and engine model; the AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment.

- Aircraft: 55 (55 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Beech 55

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Beech D18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d18s): 55 aircraft (airframe model)

All 1 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/49-29-02/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/49-29-02/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.