The forward outboard, lower wing spar caps were found cracked. The cracks-on both left and righthand assemblies-radiated out from the fourth Huck rivet forward, passing through the wing attach hinge. This aircraft was inspected 15 months /404.2 hours ago by eddy current. No cracks were found at that time. Wing lower spar cap part numbers: l/h: 000-110012-1; r/h: 000-110012-2.
Streams coursing across the New Jersey wetlands.Jonathan Milne/Courtesy Lighthawk
Key Takeaways:
Multiple aircraft models, including Beechcraft King Air and Piper Seminole, experienced structural failures in critical components (cracked wing spar caps, cracked nose cone spar).
The effectiveness and compliance of maintenance inspections are highlighted as critical, with previously undetected cracks (King Air) and improperly conducted AD-mandated inspections (Cessna Turbocharged Piston Twins) posing ongoing safety risks.
Component quality issues were observed, such as premature "weather checking" and failures in recently manufactured tire tubes for the Cessna 172R, and loose turbocharger oil lines on a Cirrus SR22.
The forward outboard, lower wing spar caps were found cracked. The cracks-on both left and righthand assemblies-radiated out from the fourth Huck rivet forward, passing through the wing attach hinge. This aircraft was inspected 15
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