Service difficulty report · Spar · Dhav DHC3

Difficulty date
September 2, 2009
Submitted
October 23, 2009
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Dhav DHC3
Aircraft time
10,285 hours
Engine
Pwa PT6A34
Propeller
Hartzl HCB3TN3
Part
Spar
Part number
C3TF82
Condition
Cracked
Location
Rudder
Part time
10,380 hours
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

APPROX 2 INCH VERTICAL CRACK IN UPPER END OF SPAR WEB AT UPPER HINGE FITTING. UPPER FITTING LOOSE ON RIB - HINGE PIN LOOSE IN FITTING. CRACK IN SPAR NOT READILY VISIBLE UNTIL RUDDER IS REMOVED. PROBABLY A RESULT OF HIGHER AIRSPEEDS WITH TURBINE POWERED OTTER.