Cracks And Corrosion

The pilot reported a loud "pop" just before entering the pattern. When he extended the gear, the green "gear down" light would not come on. A fly-by revealed the left main gear was in transit. A gear-up landing ensued. Inspection revealed the left main gear actuator (p/n 9882015-2) housing was cracked across the forward attach bolt hole. The cracked housing allowed the piston rack to jump gears on the pinion gear attached to the main gear leg. This area is inspected each 100 hours for cracks and defects very carefully, (using) lights and inspection mirrors. Time since last inspection: 25.0 hours.

Editorial Staff

Monday, November 24, 2008 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Several aircraft experienced critical mechanical failures, including a cracked main landing gear actuator, a broken engine impulse coupling spring, and a failed gear lever downlock mechanism.
Corrosion was a significant factor in multiple incidents, affecting control yokes, engine components, and flap hinges, sometimes with low service time.
A proposed Airworthiness Directive for Cessna control yokes highlights how a previous service bulletin, intended to address corrosion, may have inadvertently weakened the structure, contributing to a yoke failure.

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Cessna 172RG

Cracked Main Gear Actuator

The pilot reported a loud “pop” just before entering the pattern. When he extended the gear, the green “gear down” light would not come on. A fly-by revealed the left main gear was in transit. A gear-up landing ensued. Inspection revealed the left main gear actuator (p/n 9882015-2) housing was cracked across the forward attach bolt hole. The cracked housing allowed the piston rack to jump gears on the pinion gear attached to the main gear leg. This area is inspected each 100 hours for cracks and defects very carefully, (using) lights and inspection mirrors. Time since last inspection: 25.0 hours.

Part Total Time: 6917.0 hours.

Cessna 172/180/185 (all models)

Control Yoke Corrosion

The FAA recently proposed an Airworthiness Directive mandating compliance with Cessna SEB01-3R1, regarding control yoke internal corrosion. The recommendation was issued after reported failure of a control yoke discovered while complying with