Service difficulty report · Hinge · Boeing 737291

Difficulty date
February 24, 1999
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N982UA
Make and model
Boeing 737291
Aircraft serial
21640
Engine
Pwa JT8D9A
Part
Hinge
Condition
Failed
Location
Elevator Tab
Component
Boeing · 6973799
Stage of operation
CR
Nature of condition
E
Precautionary procedure
A

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

What was found

HEAVY VIBRATION FELT THROUGH OUT THE CABIN. *S/D* RIGHT ELEVATOR TAB INBOARD HINGE FITTING SEPARATED FROM THE TAB LEADING EDGE. TEAR OUT OF THE TAB SKIN INDICATES THAT AT LEAST THREE OF FOUR FASTENERS WERE INSTALLED WHEN SEPARATION OCCURRED. SIGNS OF WEAR ON UPPER SURFACE OF HINGE FITTING AND MATING SURFACE ON TAB SKIN. HELI-COIL INSERT IN THE TOP OUTER HOLE OF THE FITTING WAS CRACKED IN THREE PLACES AND HELI-COIL INSERT IN THE LOWER OUTBOARD HOLE WAS CRACKED IN ONE PLACE. ELEVATOR AND TAB ASSEMBLY REPLACED PER MM 27-31-01-201, OPS CHECK OK.