Service difficulty report · Diffuser · Cessna 172N

Difficulty date
August 28, 2000
Submitted
September 14, 2000
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N734KU
Make and model
Cessna 172N
Aircraft serial
17268921
Part
Diffuser
Part number
0570331
Condition
Out Of Position
Location
Rt Radio Rack
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
K

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

PILOT COMPLAINED THE ELEV CONTROL WAS JAMMED, RESTRICTING UP ELEV TRAVEL. INSP FOUND THE RT SIDE RADIO COOLING DIFFUSER CESSNA PN 057033-1 HAD FALLEN AND WAS PINNED BETWEEN THE YOKE TUNNEL AND THE RADIO STACK. WHEN UP ELEV ATTEMPTED, COPILOT''S YOKE AILERON SPROCKET PINNED THE DIFFUSER AGAINST THE FWD SIDE OF INSTRUMENT PANEL. SINCE THE DIFFUSER WAS DOUBLE-WALLED ALUMINUM AND THE SPACE BETWEEN THE RADIO STACK AND THE YOKE TUNNEL WAS ONLY A FEW INCHES, PILOT WAS NOT ABLE TO OVERCOME THE RESISTANCE. THE DIFFUSER SHOULD BE HELD IN PLACE BY 4 SPRINGS, CESSNA PN 1470221-2, WHICH ATTACH IT TO AN IDENTICAL DIFFUSER ON THE LT SIDE OF THE RADIO STACK. LT DIFFUSER HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMOVED. ONLY 1 SPRING INTACT.

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