Wing Bolts and More

During a scheduled wing bolt inspection, the left lower aft bathtub fitting was found to have chafe marks from contact with the clip on the wing fitting cover. One mark extended into the fitting radius. The manufacturer was consulted and provided a field repair to remove the damage.

Editorial Staff

Monday, July 18, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Reports detail mechanical wear and chafing on critical components, such as wing fittings and induction duct assemblies, often caused by loose or vibrating parts.
Improper installation or inadequate inspection of critical fasteners led to instances of severely under-torqued (hand-tight) wing attach bolts, despite recent maintenance checks.
Operational safety was compromised by preventable issues such as mud-clogged fuel tank vents and fuel cap holes, resulting in in-flight fuel interruption.

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Beechcraft Model 200 King Air
Chafing Wing Bolt Cover

Each bathtub fitting cover is held in place by a spring-steel clip that grips the wing fitting at one end while the other end is held in place by a screw. It appears the cover may have been a little loose, allowing it to flutter or vibrate and causing the clip to chafe the wing fitting.