Service difficulty report · Control Cable · Cessna 172S

Difficulty date
February 1, 2007
Submitted
February 1, 2007
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N5275S
Make and model
Cessna 172S
Aircraft serial
172S9203
Aircraft time
3,179 hours
Part
Control Cable
Part number
S394
Condition
Frayed
Location
Ailerons
Part time
3,179 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 A ROUTINE INSPECTION THE AILERON CONTROL DIRECT CABLE WAS FOUND SERIOUSLY WORN IN THE CABIN OVERHEAD AREA. THE AILERON BALANCE AND DIRECT CABLES ARE SEPARATED AND GUIDED BY 3 PULLIES, P/N-S394, INDEX NR 30, CHAPTER 27-10-00, FIG 3 IN THE CESSNA PARTS MANUAL. THE CENTER CABLE WAS WORN EXTENSIVELY AND HAD BROKEN STRANDS. THE WEAR IS CAUSED BY CONTACT WITH THE PULLEY. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE WITHOUT ROTATING THE CABLE AND EXPOSING THAT PORTION OF THE CABLE THAT CONTACTS THE PULLEY DURING LEVEL FLIGHT. THE CABLE AT FIRST APPEARS SHINY, BUT WITH THE AID OF A POWERFUL MAGNIFYING GLASS REVEALS MUCH MORE SERIOUS WEAR. OBVIOUSLY, THE FAILURE OF THIS CABLE WOULD LIKELY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH LITTLE

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