# AD 53-16-01: Elevator Trim Tab Looseness

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Alexandria 14-19, 14-19-2, 14-19-3 and 14-19-3A
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Small airplane
- Registered aircraft: 145 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/79A6400F7AC18EDC86256A34005707E8.0001
- DRS record last changed: May 30, 2024
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/53-16-01

## The airworthiness directive

53-16-01 BELLANCA: Applies to All Model 14-19 Series Airplanes.

Compliance required prior to September 15, 1953, and to be repeated at intervals not to exceed 100 hours flight time.

Inspect elevator trim tab system for looseness by checking free play of the trim tab. Total free play of the tab trailing edge at the maximum chord should not exceed 0.20 inch. Excessive free play may be due to excessively worn parts and/or looseness in the adjustment of the trim tab system. Excessive free play can usually be removed by accomplishing the following:

Remove retaining pin from trim tab control handle and remove handle. Pull tab control rod as far forward as possible. Add required thickness of shim or washer to take up increased length. Replace handle and pin.

Center fabric hinge should also be inspected for deterioration and replaced if necessary.

(Bellanca Service Bulletin No. 4 covers the same subject.)

## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS 1A3](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/1A3): Bellanca Aircraft Inc.; names 4 of 7 models: 14-19-2, 14-19-3, 14-19-3A, 14-19

## 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: 145 (145 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Bellanca 138, Downer 7

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Bellanca 14-19-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-19-3): 57 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Bellanca 14-19-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-19-2): 49 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Bellanca 14-19](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-19): 30 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Downer 14-19-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/downer-14-19-3): 4 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Bellanca 14-19-3A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-19-3a): 2 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Downer 14-19-3A](https://openairdocs.org/model/downer-14-19-3a): 2 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Downer 14-19-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/downer-14-19-2): 1 aircraft (airframe model)

All 7 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/53-16-01/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/53-16-01/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

## NTSB investigations that cite this AD (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR22LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA136), Mar 26, 2022: Downer Bellanca 14-19-2 (N7658B), Prosser, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: An inadequately welded elevator attachment lug, which caused the elevator to partially detach from its bellcrank, resulting in flutter and structural damage.

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