Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the following Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) (Type Certificate A00003SE previously held by Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing (previously The Lancair Company)) airplanes certified in any category, as identified in table 1 of this AD:
Table 1 – Applicability
Model
Serial Numbers
LC41-550FG
411162, 411163, 411164, 411165, 411167, 411170, and 411171
LC42-550FG
420517
Subject
(d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD was prompted by a Cessna Model LC41-550FG airplane that suffered a significant structural failure in the wing during a production acceptance flight test. The wing skin disbonded from the upper forward wing spar. The length of the disbond was approximately 7 feet. This condition, if not corrected, could result in catastrophic failure of the wing due to disbonding of the wing skin from the wing spar.
We are issuing this AD to prevent catastrophic failure of the wing due to disbonding of the wing skin from the wing spar.

Ouch!

They have increased the number of affected aircraft. A revised AD came out Friday.

Are those aircraft grounded?

I am sticking with my aluminum riveted (extra drag induced) airplane!

From the original list they all seem to be the new aircraft. I wonder if this has something to do with moving their major composite work to Mexico. Hindsight is always 20/20, but I imagine they are regretting getting rid of some very experienced composite workers in Oregon.

I heard they had a very hot day in the plant and somebody brought in a swamp fan. It changed the environment and affected the bonding on four wing surfaces. The expanded AD is likely to eliminate the any possiblity of other aircraft being affected. It sounded like they were certain they had a good understanding of the issue.

I also heard that the delaminated occured on a factory flight test during a VNE decent. The wing delaminated, but not to the extent that it risked complete failure.

It's a problem that will go away, but lesson learned.

Yes, see AD 2010-26-53.

Amazing how a little thing like bringing in a swamp cooler can create such an issue.

Luckily no one was hurt.

When people complain about the cost of certified aircraft they should consider how easily something like this can happen even in a factory environment and the cost to rectify it. Especially if they are building their own composite experimental in the garage.

Amazing how a little thing like bringing in a swamp cooler can create such an issue.

Luckily no one was hurt.

When people complain about the cost of certified aircraft they should consider how easily something like this can happen even in a factory environment and the cost to rectify it. Especially if they are building their own composite experimental in the garage.

As my research advisor (organic chemistry) once said "Water is not your friend"...

Best,
Rich

Agreed! My aluminum ain't peeling off the spar because someone brings a fan to work!

No kidding, imagine if you had invented di-hydrous oxide.

Highly corrosive, 100 times the GWP of CO2, drowns people and floods houses everyday, talk about the next asbestos . . .

No kidding, imagine if you had invented di-hydrous oxide.

Highly corrosive, 100 times the GWP of CO2, drowns people and floods houses everyday, talk about the next asbestos . . .