Cessna 172 Annual: Part 2

We take a brief look at the complete annual inspection protocol for a Cessna 172.

Thursday, November 02, 2023 at 06:41 PM ET

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When beginning an annual inspection, the inspector will be on the lookout for cracks, carbon trails, oil leaks, and parts hanging. [Credit: Elijah Lisyany]

Key Takeaways:

Corey performed a methodical annual inspection on his Cessna 172H, beginning with extensive de-paneling and detailed checks of hardware, flight controls, and various aircraft systems using technical guidance.
The inspection involved critical tasks such as compression checks, spark plug maintenance, oil changes with analysis, and thorough examinations of the powerplant, brakes, and tires for wear, leaks, and proper function.
After resolving identified discrepancies, including an inoperative nav radio and a nose-gear shimmy, and addressing cosmetic items, Corey, as an IA, signed off the aircraft for return to service, emphasizing his philosophy of continuous maintenance.

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When we last left Corey, he had relocated his 1966 Cessna 172H to its new home in a T-hangar at Newnan-Coweta Airport (KCCO) in Georgia and was prepping for his annual inspection. He pulled the pertinent airworthiness directives (ADs), mapped out a plan, and reviewed other technical data like service bulletins (SBs). Now, it’s time to get down to business.

Inspection

Using the AC 43.13 as his guide, Corey began diligently and methodically going over his airplane with a keen inspector’s eye. These first few passes around are critical, as they will start telling the story of the state of your aircraft. It is essential to look for cracks, carbon trails, oil leaks, and parts hanging when they should be fastened.