Service difficulty report · Actuator · Cessna 172S

Difficulty date
October 22, 2012
Submitted
September 14, 2015
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Cessna 172S
Aircraft time
5,457 hours
Engine
Lyc IO360L2A
Propeller
Mcauly 1A170E
Part
Actuator
Part number
UL18019VSP1130
Condition
Failed
Location
Seat Recline
Stage of operation
CR
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

(CAN) UPON INSPECTION OF COPILOTS SEAT. THE RECLINE ACTUATOR OBSERVED TO BE LEAKING OIL FROM SHAFT SEAL AREA. ALSO NOTICED THAT ACTUATOR WAS ABLE TO BE COLLAPSED UNDER LITTLE MORE THAN SLIGHT AFTWARD PRESSURE ON SEAT BACK. FIRST NOTICED IN FLIGHT BY CO PILOT, FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WHEN SEAT BACK SLOWLY OVER TIME BEGAN TO CREEP AFTWARD, A TOTAL DISTANCE OF THE CREEPING WOULD BE .5 LINIER, INCH ON ACTUATOR SHAFT BUT THIS MOMENT OF TRAVEL PUT COPILOTS HEAD AND LINE OF SIGHT SEVEAL DEGREE CANTED UPWARD, OVER THE COURSE OF A 1 HR FLIGHT.

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