# AD 65-03-01: Gap Seal Strips - Type: Airworthiness directive - Status: Current - Products: Textron Army AT-11, C-45G, C-45H, C18S, D18S and E18S with STC SA2-1016 or 7 others - Published: January 28, 1965 - Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD - Product type: Aircraft, Small airplane - Amendment: 39-1263 - Registered aircraft: 178 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs) - FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/BBBEB2ACCBA09A8986256E0100545B38.0001 - DRS record last changed: January 21, 2026 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/65-03-01 ## The airworthiness directive 65-03-01 BEECH: Amdt. 39-26 Part 39 Federal Register January 28, 1965 is amended by Amendment 39-1263. Applies to Models AT-11, C18S, D18S, E18S and C-45 series airplanes which have been modified in accordance with one or more of Airline Training, Inc. Supplemental Type Certificates Nos. SA4-113, SA-119, SA4-128, SA2-280, SA2-383, SA2-523, SA2-820, SA2-1016 and SA2-1246. Compliance required as indicated. Freezing of moisture in the continuous (piano) hinges which attach the stabilizer-to- elevator gap seal strips causes the spring loaded strips to stick in a deflected position. The deflected strips act as aerodynamic spoilers which cause serious longitudinal control difficulties. In order to preclude this condition, accomplish the following: Within 25 hours' time in service after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 50 hours' time in service, or 60 days, whichever occurs first, accomplish the following or equivalent approved by Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA Southern Region. (a) Apply a good coverage of Federal Specification VV-L-800 oil to the top and bottom sides of both upper and lower stabilizer-to-elevator gap seal strip piano-type hinges. An acceptable alternate lubricant is a mixture of MIL-G-81322 (MIL-G-25760) or MIL-G-23827 (MIL-G-7118) grease and methyl ethyl ketone or aliphatic naphtha (Varsol), to a consistency suitable for application with a squirt-type oil can or an equivalent material approved by Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA Southern Region. (b) While the mixture is being applied, deflect the seal strips several times to assure maximum penetration of the fluid into the hinge pin and hinge mating areas. Amendment 39-26 was effective February 8, 1965. Amendment 39-1263 becomes effective upon publication in the Federal Register. ## Affected data sheets (3) (OpenAirDocs) The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names. - [TCDS A-765](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A-765): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 4 of 17 models: C-45H, C-45G, E18S, D18S - [TCDS A-2-582](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A-2-582): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 1 of 2 models: Army AT-11 - [TCDS A-757](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A-757): Textron Aviation Inc.; names 1 of 1 models: C18S ## 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: 178 (178 by airframe model, 0 by engine model) - Makers: Beech 178 Models with the most aircraft: - [Beech D18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d18s): 55 aircraft (airframe model) - [Beech E18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e18s): 51 aircraft (airframe model) - [Beech C-45H](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-45h): 50 aircraft (airframe model) - [Beech C18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c18s): 13 aircraft (airframe model) - [Beech C-45G](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-45g): 9 aircraft (airframe model) All 7 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/65-03-01/models.md Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/65-03-01/aircraft.md ## Related documents - [STC SA2-1016](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA2-1016): Recertification under subparts B &G of CAR 3 and installation of SA4-120 airspeed system, SA4-21, fuel system, and SA-2-523, stabilizer angle of incidence change and elevator seal strips.. Staggerwing Museum Foundation Inc., Named in the applicability - [STC SA2-1246](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA2-1246): Increase in take-off Gross Weight to10,200 pounds and landing weight to9800 pounds. Extension of Aft. C.G. limits to +120.5 at 10,200 pounds.. Staggerwing Museum Foundation Inc., Named in the applicability - [STC SA2-280](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA2-280): Increase in take-off weight to9800 pounds, and increase in landing weight to 9400 pounds, when P&W R-985-AN14B, or -AN4, -AN10 (modified per P&W Special Instruction No. 15F-45), or-AN1M1 (with NAR-9N-19 carburetor) modified per P&W Special Inst. No 15F-45 is installed.. Staggerwing Museum Foundation Inc., Named in the applicability - [STC SA2-383](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA2-383): Raise horizontal stabilizer and installation of elevator seal assembly.. Staggerwing Museum Foundation Inc., Named in the applicability - [STC SA2-523](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA2-523): Revise horizontal stabilizer angle of incidence from -3.6 degrees to-0.5 degrees.. Staggerwing Museum Foundation Inc., Named in the applicability - [STC SA2-820](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA2-820): Increase in take-off weight to 9800 pounds, and increase in landing weight to 9400 pounds, when P&W R-985-AN14B;-AN4 (modified per P&W Special Instruction No. 15F-45) or -AN10 (modified per P&W Special Instruction No. 15F-45) or -AN-1M1(with the Stromberg NAR-9B-19 carburetor with 2-3/4 inch venturi) is installed.. Staggerwing Museum Foundation Inc., Named in the applicability - [STC SA4-113](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA4-113): Safety performance kit, increase gross weight to 9,000 lbs. takeoff and landing. Installation of P&W R-985-AN10, (Modified per P&W Special Instruction No. 15F-45 and eligible on C-45G, C45H, TC45G, & TC45H only), R-985-AN4 (modified per P&W Special Instruction No. 15F-45) or -AN14B Engine, associated powerplant installation changes, wheel well doors, and elevator hinge gap seals.. Staggerwing Museum Foundation Inc., Named in the applicability - [STC SA4-128](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SA4-128): Engines, propellers, revised nacelles, wheel-well doors, air- speed system, fuel system and elevator seal strips.. Staggerwing Museum Foundation Inc., Named in the applicability --- 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.