Service difficulty report · Tip Cap · Hughes 369D

Difficulty date
July 19, 2002
Submitted
August 7, 2002
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Hughes 369D
Aircraft time
12,134 hours
Engine
Allsn 250C20B
Part
Tip Cap
Part number
369D2363312
Condition
Cracked
Location
Horizontal Stab
Stage of operation
DE
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
D
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

(CAN) WHILE IN A STEEP DESCENT THE PILOT OBSERVED THE RIGHT HAND TIP CAP (WINGLET) GO PAST HIM AND HIT THE GROUND IN THE LANDING / WORKSITE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LESS THAN 300 FEET AGL. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED DESCENT AND MADE A NORMAL POWER ON LANDING. RECOVERY AND INSPECTION OF THE FAILED PART INDICATE VERY RECENT CRACKING AT THE FORWARD EDGE AIRFLOW OF THE ATTACHED WINGLET CAUSED TEARING OF THE REMAINDER OF THE STRUCTURE. THERE IS NO INDICATION OF A BIRD OR OTHER ITEM CONTACTING THE WINGLET.