# AD 56-18-03: Nose Wheel Cross Beam Assembly

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: P. V. Shields A-26B (Army) and A-26C (Army)
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Large airplane
- Registered aircraft: 19 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/69C1351C3316A51B862569BC0066B7D3.0001
- DRS record last changed: May 30, 2024
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/56-18-03

## The airworthiness directive

56-18-03 DOUGLAS: Applies to All Models A-26B and A-26C Aircraft.

Compliance required prior to September 5, 1956, and each periodic inspection thereafter.

Numerous cases have been discovered of cracks in the nose gear cross beam assembly of certificated A-26 aircraft, developing at the inboard end of the trunnion journal. Accordingly, to reduce the possibility of failure of the wheel cross beam assemblies, the following inspection is required.

  (a) Remove the nose wheel cross beam assembly, P/N 5280335, or 5280336, or 5123942 or 5123943.

  (b) Using magnetic particle, dye penetrant or x-ray inspection equipment, inspect the 5-inch outboard portion of the beam and trunnion assembly for cracks, measuring from the trunnion journal inboard and paying particular attention to the area around the trunnion's shoulder and inboard of the welded area of the strap.

  (c) Cross beam assemblies found cracked during this inspection must be replaced. (USAF Technical Order 1B-26-519, dated April 9, 1956, covers this same subject.)

## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS TCS L-3](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/TCS%20L-3): P. V. Shields; names 2 of 2 models: A-26B (Army), A-26C (Army)

## 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: 19 (19 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Douglas 19

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Douglas A-26B](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-a-26b): 11 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Douglas A-26C](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-a-26c): 8 aircraft (airframe model)

All 2 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/56-18-03/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/56-18-03/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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