What was found
THE TAIL TIE-DOWN RING BROKE WHEN THE OWNER ATTEMPTED A MINOR RE-ALIGNMENT. REMOVAL OF THE FAILED PARTS REVEALED AN UNAPPROAVED PART HAD BEEN INSTALLED BY SOMEONE IN THE PAST. THIS RING BOLT CAN BE FOUND IN MOST ANY HARDWARE STORE. IT HAD BEEN WIRE FORMED OF LOW QUALITY STEEL WIRE, .25 INCH IN DIAMETER. A FIELD WELD HAD BEEN USED TO CLOSE THE RING AT THE BOLT SHANK. COMMON HARDWARE .25 INCH COARSE THREAD NUTS HAD BEEN USED TO SECURE THE RING IN THE AIRPLANE.