Bent, Corroded, Cracked

While investigating a soft-brake condition, Skydrol was noted leaking from around the belly beacon-its lens was full of fluid. After removing the interior and center-aisle floor panels, hydraulic fluid was noted dripping from the rigid right brake line (p/n 90E5517010-64 at fuselage station FS248.1). The Cessna-installed Keith Air Conditioning cold-air duct is Ty-wrapped to the brake fluid lines. The belly beacon is directly below the corrosion and the Skydrol leakage. The aircraft is not equipped with belly drains. The submitter speculates water condenses in the belly of the aircraft and the beacon creates heat-(in turn generating) humidity, causing corrosion on component parts in the underfloor area.

Key Takeaways:

• Multiple aircraft exhibited structural or mechanical wear and tear, including a cracked bellcrank support arm on a Beech 65-B80 and bent nose gear torque link bolts on a Diamond DA42.
• A Piper PA28-161 suffered a severely corroded main gear attach bolt, prompting recommendations for periodic torque checks and replacements to prevent failure.
• Fluid system failures were reported, with a Cessna 500 experiencing corroded hydraulic brake lines causing Skydrol leaks, possibly due to condensation, and a Piper PA46 encountering a cracked fuel pressure tube leading to in-flight power loss and fuel leakage.

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