Van?s Aircraft has released a service bulletin for the RV-14/14A (SB 18-09-17) addressing possible cracking of the F-01478 ?Aft Fuse Forward Bottom Skin? that may occur in flying aircraft. This service bulletin is applicable to all RV-14/14A aircraft empennage/tailcone kits shipped prior to September 26, 2018. It calls for inspection of the F-01478 skin in specific locations, and a modification in the event cracks are found. This inspection needs to be conducted at or before the next annual inspection, and then at each annual inspection until the modifications described in the service bulletin document have been completed.
The Van?s part number to order for the kit used to complete this change is Part no. SB 18-09-17. The cost for this kit is $10 plus shipping.
The Van?s part number to order for the kit used to complete this change is Part no. SB 18-09-17. The cost for this kit is $10 plus shipping.
I?ve inspected my aircraft and did not find any cracks. Should I install this modification proactively?
Installation on an airplane that has not yet developed the described cracks is optional and at the discretion of the builder/owner. Note that for the affected aircraft kits, operation of the aircraft without this modification the aft fuselage bottom skin is likely to result in eventual formation of the described cracks, at which time the skin will need to be stopped drilled and the modification kit will need to be installed. Until the modification kit is installed, you need to conduct regular inspections as described in the service bulletin document. The cracking that may occur is limited in area and is primarily cosmetic in nature, rather than a structural issue. Due to the wide variety of flight conditions and operational characteristics between different aircraft, we cannot predict when the skin cracks may form for a particular airplane. Proactive installation of the modification kit is an acceptable method to prevent these cracks from forming in the first place.
My airplane has not flown yet. Does this service bulletin apply to me?
Yes. The service bulletin and modification parts apply to all RV-14 empennage/tailcone kits shipped prior to Sept. 26, 2018. If you have not yet assembled or flown your airplane and you received a kit that was shipped prior to that date, the service bulletin?s instructions include a section that describes steps to follow when applying the update to affected aircraft kits which are under construction. For kits that were shipped after September 26, 2018 the updates are already incorporated into the RV-14 kit and related assembly instructions/plans; as such the service bulletin is not applicable to those kits.
Installation on an airplane that has not yet developed the described cracks is optional and at the discretion of the builder/owner. Note that for the affected aircraft kits, operation of the aircraft without this modification the aft fuselage bottom skin is likely to result in eventual formation of the described cracks, at which time the skin will need to be stopped drilled and the modification kit will need to be installed. Until the modification kit is installed, you need to conduct regular inspections as described in the service bulletin document. The cracking that may occur is limited in area and is primarily cosmetic in nature, rather than a structural issue. Due to the wide variety of flight conditions and operational characteristics between different aircraft, we cannot predict when the skin cracks may form for a particular airplane. Proactive installation of the modification kit is an acceptable method to prevent these cracks from forming in the first place.
My airplane has not flown yet. Does this service bulletin apply to me?
Yes. The service bulletin and modification parts apply to all RV-14 empennage/tailcone kits shipped prior to Sept. 26, 2018. If you have not yet assembled or flown your airplane and you received a kit that was shipped prior to that date, the service bulletin?s instructions include a section that describes steps to follow when applying the update to affected aircraft kits which are under construction. For kits that were shipped after September 26, 2018 the updates are already incorporated into the RV-14 kit and related assembly instructions/plans; as such the service bulletin is not applicable to those kits.