FAA November 2012 Maintenance Alerts

Beechcraft:  C90GTX; Failed Nose Wheel Steering; ATA 3250

A repair station technician states, "Coming from the taxi holding bay, the aircraft went out of the runway — the nose wheel steering was (apparently) inoperative. Investigation and inspection performed by maintenance found a lack of grease on the steering brace (P/N 101-820024-15). No other findings or problems were detected on the steering (assembly). After grease (application), operational and functional tests performed smoothly. Recommendation: the steering brace must be greased with the aircraft both on and off jacks to guarantee full (lubrication)."

Part Total Time:  (unknown)

Embraer: 120ER; Worn MLG Actuator Rod-end; ATA 3230

An air carrier submission states, "After takeoff, the L/H main landing gear 'red' indication light remained illuminated after the gear was up. The crew selected 'gear down' — all gear extended and locked down. The aircraft returned to (base) and landed without incident. Maintenance found the left gear was not retracting fully up and locking into position. The problem was (determined) to be excess play in the retract actuator rod-end (P/N 21126-000-00). This rod-end bearing (swivel) was found seized to the attaching pin that secures the actuator to the MLG leg. This caused the rod-end to pivot on the OD (outside diameter) of the pin — instead of the bearing rotating on the rod-end bearing race. The pin (P/N 19872) was found worn 0.064 inches deep approximately 210 degrees around the OD circumference. The actuator, pin, and bushings were replaced. The landing gear system checked 'good' and the aircraft was returned to service." (This particular rod-end P/N is found four times in the SDRS database.)

Part Total Time:  (unknown); Total cycles: 6,841

Continental:  IO550N; Cracked Exhaust; ATA 7810

A repair station mechanic says, "This aircraft has a Tornado Alley Turbo normalizing system, installed under STCs SA10588SC and SE10589SC. When the cowling was removed for an unrelated issue, the right tail pipe was found cracked completely in half along the forward edge of the cabin heat exchanger weldment. It is not rare for cracks to be found along the heat exchanger in this type of tail pipe design. Undetected, the crack will eventually propagate around the tube. There is also potential for the crack to compromise the heat exchanger, possibly allowing exhaust gasses to enter the environmental system.  Complicating this failure, this aircraft also had a major fuel leak, as detailed under report number 2012FA0000689. This fuel leak could have been ignited by the exhaust gasses entering the cowling from the fracture. Note: there is an improved designed tail pipe available from Tornado Alley — it is recommended any cracked tail pipes not be welded (as has been seen on other aircraft). The (tail pipes) should be replaced with the new design."

Part Total Time:  678.0 hours