Service difficulty report · Control Cable · Boeing 737522

Difficulty date
October 16, 2003
Submitted
December 2, 2003
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N905UA
Make and model
Boeing 737522
Aircraft serial
25005
Aircraft time
35,728 hours, 22,986 cycles
Engine
Ge CFM56*
Part
Control Cable
Condition
Obstructed
Location
Elevator
Stage of operation
TX
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
F
Precautionary procedure
D

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

What was found

CREW REPORTS THAT ELEVATOR BINDS WHEN PULLING CONTROL COLUMN BACK. STICKS AND BINDS TO THE POINT OF HAVING TO USE EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO GO BACK TO NEUTRAL. FLIGHT CREW REPORTED THAT COLUMN WAS TOTALLY STUCK AT ONE POINT. DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE ELEVATOR CONTROL SYSTEM A LARGE PIECE OF VELCRO WAS FOUND LODGED BETWEEN AN ELEVATOR CABLE PULLEY AND CABLE RETAINER IN THE FORWARD E&E COMPARTMENT. THE ELEVATOR SYSTEM WAS CYCLED AND FOUND TO OPERATE NORMALLY AFTER FOD REMOVAL.