Squawk Box

Cessna 172N Skyhawk Broken Pushrod The #3 cylinder exhaust valve pushrod broke due to a valve stuck in the closed position. No marks were seen on the top of the piston through a borescope. The lifter came apart as a result of the broken pushrod but appears to have been operating properly previously. Part total […]

Beechcraft A36 Bonanza Damaged Camshaft Gear Teeth During climbout, pilot heard engine noise. At 6000 feet agl, engine was shut down and pilot landed at nearest airport. Engine tear down revealed approximately 12 cam gear teeth damaged on p/n 655516A. Part total time: Unknown Cessna 172M Skyhawk Premature Camshaft Wear During a 100-hour inspection, cylinder […]

Beechcraft S35 Bonanza Cracked and Corroded During an annual inspection, discovered right lower aileron control cable turnbuckle barrel located under aft cabin heat duct was cracked ¾ inches longitudinally from its end. The heating system duct above this turnbuckle assembly was in a decayed condition. Recommend close inspection of cables and turnbuckles in this area. […]

Beechcraft A200 King Air Mismatched Pitot Tubes During altimeter and pitot static system recertification, the technician observed the left pitot tube was incorrect and was actually a right one. Further investigation revealed the p/n was misidentified as a left pitot tube (p/n PH502-3) when the drain hole and embossed “top” mark were consistent with a […]

Beech A36 Bonanza Leaking Fuel Hose During annual inspection, the technician noticed evidence of a possible fire in the engine compartment. Further inspection found the fuel hose (p/n 330995f-0060) from fuel flow sensor to fuel spider had been leaking. Removed fuel hose, pressurized it with air and found it leaking throughout its entire length. Part […]

The following information is derived from the FAA’s Service Difficulty Reports and Aviation Maintenance Alerts. Cessna 210L Centurion Intermittent Indications On liftoff, the green gear indicator light went off. The pilot tried to retract the gear, but nothing happened. He put the gear in the down position but did not get a safe indication. The […]

The following information is derived from the FAA’s Service Difficulty Reports and Aviation Maintenance Alerts. Beechcraft/Raytheon G36 Bonanza Misaligned Nosegear Attach Points During a landing gear retraction test, the nose wheel assembly would contact the right nose gear door’s aft hinge. It was also noted that the nose wheel assembly would contact the nose wheel […]

Cessna 172N Skyhawk High Resistance The pilot observed a unusually high EGT reading. Examination revealed one of the engine’s eight REM38E spark plugs was not firing. Resistance check of all eight plugs revealed five exceeded the two kiloohm limit. An open current path in the failed spark plug was the probable reason for its failure. […]

Cessna 172M Skyhawk Burned Voltage Regulator The pilot reported an odor of smoke in the cockpit and returned to the departure airport. Examination revealed electrical charging system inoperative. Replaced voltage regulator (p/n VR6000). Part total time: Unknown Cessna 172P Skyhawk Unserviceable Regulator Technician suspects the voltage regulator (p/n DG3) went unsatisfactory and allowed the full […]

Bellanca 17-30A Super Viking Stretched And Fatigued At touchdown, the nose landing gear failed and partially collapsed. Examination revealed it appears the bearing rod end (p/n 198001-2) experienced a fatigue failure. The rod end failed at a point where the threads and AN316-4R nut meet, shearing even with the nut face. Rod end threads were […]