The FAA has proposed an AD involving 14,653 U.S. Cessna 172, 182, 206 and 210 models after cracks were found in the lower area of the forward cabin doorpost bulkhead. That’s where the wing strut attaches and the AD requires repetitive inspections of the area. After one owner reported finding cracks, more inspections revealed them in about 50 more aircraft. “It has been determined that the cracks result from metal fatigue,” the AD says. A list of affected aircraft is here: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-02-01/pdf/2018-01923.pdf
The cracks appear in a somewhat tough-to-reach spot and it takes about 90 minutes to do the inspection. The FAA is going with Cessna’s recommended intervals for the inspection and they don’t start until the airframe reaches 4,000 hours. The initial inspection has to be done within a year of that milestone or after 200 hours, whichever comes first. After that, it’s every 1,000 hours. If cracks are found, the repair will cost about $3,000 and idle the plane for a few days.
An earlier story didn’t clarify that the AD is proposed and that there is a comment period that ends March 19, 2018.
