Service difficulty report · Rib · Cessna 172

Difficulty date
June 6, 2001
Submitted
July 13, 2001
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N5838A
Make and model
Cessna 172
Aircraft serial
28438
Part
Rib
Condition
Broken
Location
Rudder
Part time
419 hours
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

UPPER RUDDER RIB WAS FOUND BROKEN AT THE OPENING FOR UPPER HINGE BOLT INSTALLATION ACCESS. THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE IS A REOCCURRING PROBLEM DUE TO A LACK OF PROPER GUST LOCKS FOR THE RUDDERS, WIND SLAPPING OF THE RUDDER WITH THE ARM OF THE BALANCE WEIGHT CAUSING CRACKS IN THE RIB WEAK POINT EVEN WITH THE ADDED DOUBLER. PROPER SECURING THE RUDDER WHEN OUTSIDE, MAY PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE.

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