Size Matters

While complying with Service Bulletin 55-3835 “Installation of Empennage Inspection Access Panels,” the horizontal stabilizer forward spar and ribs were found not riveted correctly from the factory. Many rivets that go through the forward spar are too short, and where the rib and forward spar come together, the rivet misses the rib. We have found this same problem on other aircraft we have inspected.

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Multiple aircraft types reported critical structural issues, including factory-installed bad rivets, cracked wing spar shear fittings, and cracked nose gear trunnions.
Aging aircraft components were a concern, with a collapsed engine vent line found in older Caravans and internal corrosion in fuel injector lines on specific engine modifications.
A McCauley propeller experienced a broken bearing race, attributed to an incorrect bearing size, leading to an imminent propeller failure.

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Beechcraft B200 King Air
Bad Rivet Installation
While complying with Service Bulletin 55-3835 “Installation of Empennage Inspection Access Panels,” the horizontal stabilizer forward spar and ribs were found not riveted correctly from the factory. Many rivets that go through the forward spar are too short, and where the rib and forward spar come together, the rivet misses the rib. We have found this same problem on other aircraft we have inspected.
Part(s) Total Time: (unknown)