Cut, Broken, Cracked

The bulkhead (p/n 0450046-5) was installed in 2007 at 1476.4 flight hours and has been inspected each 100 hours since. At the latest inspection, a crack was discovered at the base of the propeller hub; after removing the hub, severe cracking was found, comprising 85 percent of the distance around the center of the bulkhead. Mandatory propeller removal should take place at least every 200 hours of operation for a more thorough inspection of the bulkhead.

Editorial Staff

Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Multiple aircraft models experienced critical component failures, including a cracked Cessna 150L spinner bulkhead, a failed Cessna 208B oil cooler vernatherm, frayed Cessna 337D flap cables, and a cracked Piper PA-31-350 landing gear trunnion.
ECI cylinders demonstrated widespread issues with cracking and compression leaks, affecting multiple cylinders on an engine and leading to a manufacturer-led replacement program.
These incidents underscore the importance of regular and thorough inspections, with new recommendations including propeller removal every 200 hours for bulkhead inspection and flap cable checks every 500 hours.