What was found
DURING ANNUAL INSPECTION, THE CONTROL SURFACES WERE FOUND TO HAVE NEVER BEEN RE-BALANCED AFTER THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN RE-PAINTED SOMETIME PRIOR. WHEN REMOVING THE STABILATOR, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MOUNTING BOLTS COULD NOT BE REMOVED WITHOUT BEING CUT OFF. ON CLOSER INSPECTION UPON REMOVAL, THE BOLTS HAD BEEN DEFORMED WITH A JOGGLE/BEND FORMED IN THE SHANK. AFTER REMOVING PAINT FROM THE BOLT HEADS, FOUND THAT AN3 BOLTS WERE INSTALLED INSTEAD OF THE STRONGER NAS1104-17 AS SPECIFIED IN THE PARTS MANUAL. PRIOR TO REMOVAL, THE BOLTS APPEARED NORMAL AND UNDAMAGED. HIGH LOADS ON THE STABILATOR AND INCORRECT HARDWARE WERE POSSIBLE CAUSES. (X)