SDR 2002F00320

Service difficulty report · Structure · Pilats PC1245

Difficulty date
March 1, 2002
Submitted
March 18, 2002
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N562NA
Make and model
Pilats PC1245
Aircraft serial
174
Aircraft time
2,985 hours
Engine
Pwa PT6A67B
Engine time
2,985 hours, 3,162 cycles
Propeller
Hartzl HCE4A3D
Part
Structure
Part number
5553012149
Condition
Cracked
Location
Vertical Stab
Part time
2,985 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

DURING 100 HOUR INSPECTION 2 IDENTICAL CRACKS WERE NOTICED ON THE UPPER VERTICAL STABILIZER, DIRECTLY ABOVE THE RUDDER AND MIGRATING FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 4.5 INCHES. AFTER CONTACTING MANUFACTURER, IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THE BOTTOM FAIRING OF THE VERTICAL STAB WAS NOT MANUFACTURED WIDE ENOUGH AND THE SKINS HAD TO BE SQUEEZED FOR THE PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE FAIRING. A REPAIR WAS APPROVED AND PERFORMED TO STRENGTHEN THE SKINS IN THAT AREA.