Two experienced aerospace structures engineers have been contracted to determine what causes the cracks in the carry-through structure, bulkhead flanges, and fuselage skins, AOPA said yesterday. And data are being collected to determine what are the real safety issues and if the “cure” is worse than the problem.The issue directly concerns all owners of Bonanzas, Debonairs, Travel Airs, and normally aspirated Barons built between 1957 and the late 1980s, AOPA said. Previously (as was the case for the Beechcraft spar web), the FAA allowed, with periodic inspection, the existence of some cracks not deemed to be structurally significant (in many cases, the cracks could be stop-drilled). But with rising concern about aging aircraft, the FAA is becoming less tolerant of cracks and other indicators of metal fatigue. What that would mean is that aircraft that have continued to be operated for many years and many hours with known cracks under continued inspection would no longer be allowed to do so.
…Engineers Hired, Data Collection Under Way…
Key Takeaways:
- Aerospace engineers are investigating the cause of cracks in the carry-through structure, bulkheads, and fuselage skins of specific Beechcraft models built between 1957 and the late 1980s.
- The investigation aims to determine the real safety issues and assess whether potential "cures" might be more problematic than the cracks themselves.
- The FAA is increasing its scrutiny of metal fatigue in aging aircraft, indicating a shift towards less tolerance for previously permitted cracks even with periodic inspections.
- This change could mean that aircraft previously allowed to operate with known, inspected cracks may no longer be permitted to do so.
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