Service difficulty report · Skin · Piper PA30

Difficulty date
January 19, 2006
Submitted
February 15, 2006
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N7368Y
Make and model
Piper PA30
Aircraft serial
30419
Engine
Lyc IO320*
Part
Skin
Condition
Bent
Location
Horizontal Stab
Part time
3,234 hours
Stage of operation
NR
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

DURING INSP OF HORIZ STAB, FWD SPAR AND CTR SECTION SKIN WAS FOUND BENT, DISTORTED AT CENTER LIGHTENING HOLE. SKIN AND SPAR BOTH SHOWED SIGNS OF WRINKLING AND DEFORMATION. CLOSE INSP OF PARTS DID NOT SHOW ANY CRACKS. SPAR HAD BEEN REINFORCED WITH SPAR REINFORCEMENT AS REQUIRED BY SEB. STAB WAS REPAIRED USING A NEW FWD SPAR ASSY WITH REINFORCEMENT NEW CTR SECTION SKIN AND COMPLYING WITH SEB. PROBABLE CAUSE IS OVER STRESSING STAB BY FORCING TAIL DOWN TO MOVE AC ON GROUND. RECOMMEND PERSONNEL BE BRIEFED ON PROPER PROCEDURES FOR MOVING AC, MECHANICS CLOSELY INSPECT THIS AREA FOR DAMAGE. ALSO, RECOMMEND THAT SEB INSP OF FWD SPAR LIGHTENING HOLE AND SB INSP OF BOLT HOLES BE COMPLIED WITH AT NEXT ANNUAL INSP.

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