Service difficulty report · Panel · Gruman FIRECAT

Difficulty date
January 23, 2009
Submitted
February 2, 2009
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Gruman FIRECAT
Aircraft time
5,497 hours
Engine
Wright 982C9HE2
Propeller
Hamstd 43D51
Part
Panel
Part number
GRUMMAN
Condition
Damaged
Location
Rt Elevator
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

(CAN) DURING ANNUAL INSPECTION RT ELEVATOR PANEL REMOVED. INSIDE FOUND A SMALL CIRCULAR PANEL 1 1/2" IN DIAMETER. THE PANEL BECAME ADRIFT FROM APPROX 37" OTBD FROM ROOT AND MIGRATED APPROX 15" INBD TO BECOME JAMMED IN ELEVATOR HINGE POINT. PANEL WAS DESTROYED CAUSING MINIMAL DAMAGE TO ELEVATOR.