Size Matters

While complying with Service Bulletin 55-3835 “Installation of Empennage Inspection Access Panels,” the horizontal stabilizer forward spar and ribs were found not riveted correctly from the factory. Many rivets that go through the forward spar are too short, and where the rib and forward spar come together, the rivet misses the rib. We have found this same problem on other aircraft we have inspected.

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Recurring manufacturing quality issues were identified on Beechcraft B200 King Airs due to faulty rivet installation in the horizontal stabilizer.
Several aircraft exhibited common wear-and-tear problems, including cracked structural components (spar, trunnion), degraded engine vent lines, and a critical propeller bearing failure.
Corrosion in fuel injector lines was specifically linked to Continental IO-550-N engines equipped with Tornado Alley turbo STCs, posing a risk of fuel system clogging.

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Beechcraft B200 King Air
Bad Rivet Installation
While complying with Service Bulletin 55-3835 “Installation of Empennage Inspection Access Panels,” the horizontal stabilizer forward spar and ribs were found not riveted correctly from the factory. Many rivets that go through the forward spar are too short, and where the rib and forward spar come together, the rivet misses the rib. We have found this same problem on other aircraft we have inspected.
Part(s) Total Time: (unknown)