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Chafing And Cracks

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Key Takeaways:

  • FAA Service Difficulty Reports highlight several recurring maintenance issues, including chafing fuel lines on Beech 58 Barons and cracked horizontal stabilizer components on Cessna 152s, especially older models or those with modifications.
  • Cessna 170B aircraft equipped with specific STC brake assemblies are experiencing cracked brake cylinders, a known issue easily visible during preflight inspections.
  • Premature failure and cracking of STC-installed exhaust risers are reported on Rockwell 114 aircraft, with replacement parts also exhibiting short lifespans.
  • The reports recommend specific vigilance, such as one-time inspections for fuel line chafing and thorough preflight checks for known brake component cracks, to prevent potential safety hazards.
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The following information is derived from the FAAs Service Difficulty Reports and Aviation Maintenance Alerts.

Beech (Raytheon) Model 58 Baron

Chafing Fuel Line

While retracting and extending the landing gear for adjustment of a drooping inboard main wheel door, abnormal noise and vibration (was noted at mid-cycle). Further investigation found the r/h main landing gear retract rod assembly chafing on the wheel wells fuel crossfeed tubes (p/ns 002-920000-49 and 002-920000-51).

Visual inspection of these fuel tubes found the chafing to be negligible. The tubes were repositioned and secured as required for clearance with the retract rod during retraction/extension operations.

A one-time inspection of this area is recommended (to prevent) chafing and subsequent fuel leakage.

Part Total Time: 187.4 hours.

Cessna 152

Cracked Horizontal Stabilizer Spar

On a routine 100-hour inspection, a crack was found on the horizontal stabilizers front apex, specifically the lower angle (p/n 0432001-44) and the reinforcement plate (p/n 0432001-44).

The lower skin rivet seam was also found fretted and loose. Upon removal and disassembly additional defects…were discovered, including cracked skin (p/n 0432001-55) and a cracked spar (p/n 0432001-56).

This is an earlier serial-numbered aircraft lacking the reinforcement angle (p/n 0432007-3) as installed on later aircraft.

This aircraft also had been converted to a tailwheel configuration per STC SA 175GL.

Part Total Time: 8207.6 hours.

Cessna 170B

Cracked Brake Cylinder Assemblies

The aircraft was equipped with brake assemblies installed in accordance with STC SA13GL. In both brake assemblies (p/n 30-63A), the cylinders (p/n 091-02200) were found to be cracked across and parallel to the anchor bolt hole (bolt p/n 069-00400).

This is the second aircraft found with cracks in these cylinder assemblies.

This brake area is readily accessible and should be part of the preflight inspection. The cracks are easily seen when you are looking for them.

Part Total Time: (unknown).

Rockwell 114

Cracked STC Exhaust Risers

A submitter describes finding multiple holes and cracks in the exhaust risers of the aircrafts turbo system, installed under STC SA00356DE. These exhaust units were deemed unserviceable after only 207.8 hours since new. An added note indicates the new, replacement risers also cracked after just 140.0 hours.

Part Total Time: 207.8 hours.

 

 

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