SB 18-02-02 Potential cracking in the horizontal stabilator front spar

[DeltaRomeo]

Issued today:

RV-12. Before further flight.

http://www.vansaircraft.com/pdf/sb18-02-02.pdf

"Inspect stabilator front spar for cracks. If cracks are not present the aircraft may be returned to service until the next 100 hour or annual inspection, when this service bulletin should be performed before further flight. If cracks are found, complete this SB immediately. Kits under construction should perform this SB prior to stabilator attachment or first flight."

v/r,
dr

[moosepileit]

Model RV-12

[MrSparkle]

I assume that the only way to inspect the stabilator's front spar for cracks is to remove the stabilator and the hinge brackets. Agree/disagree?

Ian Heritch
RV-12 N417E

[alexe]

Agree. At that point you might as well do the fix rather than waiting to do it at the next conditional inspection. This is not going to be fun!
Alex

[E. D. Eliot]

I do appreciate this SB and all of the work that the technical staff at Van's must have put into it. Would have liked to order tonight but can't because I'm not sure which new parts need to be ordered. I'll call tomorrow along with many of you.

Recommendation to Van's --- please add a short note that lists the parts need in order to comply. If Van's did that this time then I apologize profusely.

Thanks again for the SB.

[rgmwa]

Originally Posted by MrSparkle

I assume that the only way to inspect the stabilator's front spar for cracks is to remove the stabilator and the hinge brackets. Agree/disagree?

Ian Heritch
RV-12 N417E

That's if you can actually see any cracks. They would be very easy to miss judging by the photos in the SB. I wonder what prompted Vans to look there, although I guess it's an obvious potential trouble spot when you think about it. This won't be a fun job, but if you have to pull everything apart to check you might as well bite the bullet and do the fix at the same time.

[Harvey rv12]

Vans SB?s usually have a ?synopsis? detailing what prompted the bulletin.
This SB doesn?t say much. Would be interesting to learn how this was discovered.

[skydiverlv]

I like the 6hr labor estimate. That indicates how old and slow I am.

[Piper J3]

I wonder if Van's will supply parts free-of-charge for this SB like they did for fuel tank and landing gear?

[TomVal]

Since the stabilizer has to be pulled, if you haven't already done so, might as well complete SB 16-08-01 - Stabilizer Bearing Inspection.