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:

Component chafing and wear from contact, such as loose covers or support brackets, can lead to significant structural damage or premature part failure.
Critical fasteners may be improperly torqued or installed, even after recent checks, with operational loads potentially masking the issue.
Blocked essential systems, like fuel tank vents, can cause in-flight emergencies such as fuel starvation.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.