Service difficulty report · Flap Track · Cessna 172N

Difficulty date
April 20, 2007
Submitted
September 5, 2007
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Cessna 172N
Aircraft time
14,485 hours
Engine
Lyc O320H2AD
Propeller
Mcauly 1C160DTM
Part
Flap Track
Part number
052323113
Condition
Separated
Location
Lt Te Flap
Stage of operation
DE
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
E, F
Precautionary procedure
A

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

What was found

(CAN) DURING HARD MANEUVERING WITH FLAPS DOWN, A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD BY THE PILOTS WHO NOTICED THE LT FLAP BEING PUSHED BACK AT A STRANGE ANGLE. THE FLAPS WERE LEFT IN THE DOWN POSITION AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS RETURNED WITHOUT INCIDENT. UPON INVESTIGATION THE LT IB FLAP TRACK WAS FOUND SEPARATED AND CRACKED FROM THE AIRFRAME AT THE LOWER FLANGE. THE CAUSE APPEARS TO BE THE CHERRYMAX RIVETS ATTACHING THE LOWER FLANGE OF THE WING RIB FRETTING, BECOMING WORN, AND WEARING THE RIVET HOLES IN THE WING SPAR UNTIL THE HIGHER STRESSES OF MANEUVERING TORE THEM FREE. THE FLAPS AND TRACKS WERE REMOVED, SPAR INSPECTED WITH NO DAMAGE NOTED. THE FLAP TRACK RIB ASSY`S WERE REPLACED, USING STRUCTURAL SCREWS AND NUTS TO ATTAC

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