Skin Game

Receiving inspection of a new Cessna leading edge skin (p/n 0523029-4) found it was drilled incorrectly. None of the nose ribs would line up with the rivet holes. The submitter wrote, "This (is) the second time we have received this same part. We have asked for this part not to be put back into Cessna stock since [it] is non-conforming. [It] came with an FAA Form 8130-3 Airworthiness Approval Tag."

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Newly manufactured or recently installed aircraft components exhibit significant defects, including an incorrectly drilled Cessna leading edge skin delivered with an airworthiness tag and a magneto cam follower melting shortly after installation.
Critical structural elements are failing due to fatigue or design flaws, such as Ercoupe landing gear bolts shearing simultaneously, and cracks in Piper rudder bars and Champion wing spars, often after high service hours.
Electrical system integrity poses a safety risk, as seen with a Cessna 421A starter cable chafing against a support bracket, leading to a short, electrical fire, and extensive wire damage.

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Cessna 172N

Nonconforming Leading Edge Skin

Receiving inspection of a new Cessna leading edge skin (p/n 0523029-4) found it was drilled incorrectly. None of the nose ribs would line up with the rivet holes. The submitter wrote, “This (is) the second time we have received this same part. We have asked for this part not to be put back into Cessna stock since [it] is non-conforming. [It] came with an FAA Form 8130-3 Airworthiness Approval Tag.”

Part Total Time: 0.00 hours.

Ercoupe A1

Sheared Landing Gear Bolts

A mechanic states, “These bolts are located at the top of the landing gear. Three