Bellanca 8KCAB Failed Seat Hinge (American Champion Aircraft Corporation provided the following defect report to the FAA.) The rear seat (p/n 7-1500; revision B) failed at the left hinge point. The AN3 series bolt pulled through the hinge lugs, which are welded to the seat frame bottom. The right hinge holes show elongation, but remained intact. This aircraft was doing spin training at the time of the incident. Modifying the seat frame to current standards is recommended. Part Total Time: 1290.0 hours. Cessna 172S Cracked Propeller Bulkhead Repeated cracks have been found on the propeller bulkhead at the edge of the washer footprint. A material or hardware change may help resolve this problem. 288
Chronic Door Separation?
The rear seat (p/n 7-1500; revision B) failed at the left hinge point. The AN3 series bolt pulled through the hinge lugs, which are welded to the seat frame bottom. The right hinge holes show elongation, but remained intact. This aircraft was doing spin training at the time of the incident. Modifying the seat frame to current standards is recommended.
Key Takeaways:
- Several aircraft experienced critical mechanical failures, including a Bellanca 8KCAB rear seat hinge failing during spin training and a Cessna T310Q nose gear retraction rod-end separating, leading to a gear collapse.
- Recurring structural issues were reported for the Cessna 172S, with repeated propeller bulkhead cracks, and for the Diamond DA40, involving multiple instances of aft passenger door separation and hinge cracks.
- A Piper PA23 main wheel assembly was found severely corroded, resulting in the failure of most retaining bolts.
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