We had a partial failure on a rod end bearing, on a lift strut. The point of failure is where the lift struts attach to the fuselage. The internal structure of the rod end bearing began to fail, and as a result, the rod end bearing might have slipped over the head of the bolt. If this had happened, there is a strong possibility that the lift strut might have detached from the bearing bolt on the fuselage, with damaging or catastrophic results. A simple solution is the addition of a cap washer. We recommend immediately adding these washers to your aircraft before further flight. It is important that the top washer is trimmed so that it does not hit or rub the lift strut.
 |
| Failed Lift Strut Rod End Bearing |
 |
| Another view of Failed Rod End Bearing |
|
In order to prevent these rod end bearings from slipping over the head of the bolt, we are installing cap washers:
 |
| Cap Washers, with one trimmed |
|
Here is a photo of the reassembled lift strut attach point, showing the rod end bearings and the cap washers.:
 |
| Cap Washers installed on lift strut |
|
|
|
The bolt has been reinstalled, complete with quik release key (safety wire is of course also acceptable).
If you need these washers, please contact us and we will supply them at no charge.
The integrity of the rod end bearings should be inspected with each preflight.
