Service difficulty report · Bulkhead · Cessna 177RG

Difficulty date
April 1, 2008
Submitted
April 23, 2008
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N52543
Make and model
Cessna 177RG
Aircraft serial
177RG1206
Engine
Lyc IO360A1B6
Part
Bulkhead
Part number
12210628
Condition
Cracked
Location
Rt Wing
Part time
4,336 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 ROUTINE INSP, FOUND PART CRACKED. CHECKED (2) OTHER CARDINALS THAT HAPPENED TO BE IN OUR SHOP AND FOUND (1) OF THEM TO HAVE A SIMILAR CRACK. THIS SECTION OF THE BULKHEAD IS THE ATTACH STRUCTURE FOR THE LOWER ATTACH ANGLE FOR THE IB FLAP DRIVE BELLCRANK. IT IS CURIOUS THAT THE FACTORY INSTALLED SOME EXTRA REINFORCEMENT STRUCTURE (A BRACKET) IN THIS POSITION IN THE LT WING. THERE ARE EVEN SOME (PILOT DRILL) (PD) HOLES DRILLED AT THE FACTORY IN THE RIB AND HEAVY ATTACH ANGLE ON THE AFFECTED RT SIDE. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT BOTH LT AND RT BELLCRANKS WOULD EXPERIENCE THE SAME FOR-AFT FORCES BY AIR LOADS ON THE FLAPS. SO WHY REINFORCE ONLY ONE SIDE? IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE FACTORY ASSY LINE NEGLECTED TO INSTALL AN INTENDED SIMILAR REINFORCEMENT ON THE RT SIDE? (K)

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