What was found
DURING ANNUAL INSPECTION A FUEL LEAK WAS NOTED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE LEFT WING BENEATH THE FUEL TANK. UPON MORE DETAILED INSPECTION THE INTERNAL BAFFLING OF THE FUEL TANK WAS FOUND TO BE SEPERATED AND THE TANK TO BE LEAKING FROM ONE OF THE BAFFLE ATTACH WELDS. RESEARCH OF THIS AIRCRAFTS HISTORY REVEALED THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES PRIOR. THE ORIGINAL TANK WAS REPLACED AT 1728.1 TOTAL TIME, THE NEXT 3 LASTED 396.0, 647.6 AND 390.0 CONCURRENTLY. WE FEEL THAT THE DESIGN OF THE TANK CONTRBUTES TO ITS FAILURES. THE INTERNAL BAFFLE IS WELDED IN THE TANK DIRECTLY UNDER THE CENTER MOUNTING STRAP FOR THE TANK CAUSING A PRELOAD UPON INSTALLATION. DURING USE FOR ACROBATIC FLIGHT THE TANKS CANNOT BE FILLED DUE TO WEIGHT