As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.
What was found
(CAN) WHEN STEPPING ONTO FUSELAGE STEP, THE STEP HAD MORE 'GIVE' THAN NORMAL. WHEN STEP WAS UNBOLTED, CRACKS WERE SEEN IN THE FUSELAGE SKIN. ALL COMPANY 172S & 172RGS WERE CHECKED AND ALL HAD CRACKS DEVELOPING TO SOME DEGREE. IT SEEMS THAT THE INSTALLATION ISN'T STRONG ENOUGH AND AN EXTRA DOUBLER OUGHT TO BE INSTALLED UNDER THE MOUNTING NUTS.