HS 748 Series Aircraft Aileron Actuating Lever Cracking - Service Difficulty Alert

AL 2003-06
11 July 2003

Following take off of a HS 748 2A series aircraft, the crew experienced abnormal aileron control which required a 45° left aileron input to maintain wings level. The aircraft returned to the airport without further incident.

 

Investigation revealed that the aileron actuating lever P/N 1F11792 had cracked and was no longer in full contact with the control surface, resulting in an out of rig condition. It was initially suspected the damaged control lever was a result of high ground gust loading.

Lab analysis of this component and of another lever removed from a different aircraft indicated progressive fatigue crack growth in the radius of the attachment tabs in the same location on each part.

To preclude further occurrences of this nature, Transport Canada strongly recommends operators of all HS 748 series aircraft to perform a detailed visual inspection of these components for cracking at their earliest convenience.

Further defects or occurrences of this nature should be reported to Transport Canada, Continuing Airworthiness Ottawa via the Service Difficulty Reporting program.

For further information, contact a Transport Canada Center, or Mr. Paul Jones, Continuing Airworthiness Ottawa, telephone (613) 952-4431, facsimile (613) 996-9178 or e-mail jonesp@tc.gc.ca.

For Director, National Aircraft Certification

R.A. Raoux
Acting Chief, Continuing Airworthiness