Attention:
Owners, operators and maintainers of quad city challenger aircraft
| File Classification No. : | Z 5000-35 |
|---|---|
| RDIMS No. : | 15037693 |
| Document No. : | CASA 2019-02 |
| Issue No. : | 01 |
| Effective Date: | 2019-03-01 |
Purpose:
To alert owners to cracking and failure of Challenger II lower lift strut attachment brackets and the need for disassembly, inspection and part replacement.
Background:
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada ( TSB ) has informed Transport Canada Civil Aviation ( TCCA ) of a fatal accident caused by the in-flight failure of a lower lift strut attachment bracket of a Quad City Challenger.
Wing strut attachment brackets (aka “Rony brackets”) are primary structural components.
Failure of this bracket caused sudden catastrophic separation of the wing.
Recommended action:
Based on recognized industry practices and information provided in the TSB Aviation Safety Advisory, TCCA strongly recommends that owners and operators of all models of Quad City Challenger Basic Ultra-Light, Advanced Ultra-Light or Amateur-Built aeroplanes immediately perform the following inspection.
Inspection
Inspect all four lift strut attachment brackets before the next flight.
The brackets must be removed from the aircraft for inspection.
The manufacturer has advised that it is possible to remove, inspect and replace individual brackets without detaching the wings from the aircraft.
Perform a detailed visual inspection of the removed brackets under good light, using a 10 x magnifying glass.
Discard any bracket that shows signs of cracking, hole elongation, distortion, scratches, scuffing or corrosion.
Reassembly
Re-assemble in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, observing the following cautions:
- Be careful not to scratch or distort the bracket during re-assembly.
- The bolt and nut that attach the bracket to the fuselage have instructions for tightening that vary according to modifications. Be sure to use the correct instructions.
- The bolt and nut that attach the strut to the bracket must be only lightly tightened. After tightening, it must be possible to rotate the bolt by hand. Do not over-tighten or flex the bracket flanges inwards.
- If streamlined fairings are installed, make sure they are properly notched to avoid any possible contact with the brackets.
Inspection interval
This inspection should be repeated every 50 flight hours.
Re-inspect brackets after any abnormal occurrence such as flight in severe turbulence, hard landing, or exposure to high winds while parked.
Replacement requirement
If the aircraft has been operated on floats or skis, all four lift strut attachment brackets should be replaced every 250 flight hours.
If the aircraft has been operated only on wheels, all four lift strut attachment brackets should be replaced every 500 flight hours.
Do not fabricate replacement brackets. Obtain any required parts from the manufacturer.
Notes
- 1: Do not permit anyone to use the wing strut as a step.
- 2: The manufacturer may issue a safety bulletin regarding this issue. If parts of this CASA contradict the manufacturer’s instructions, the manufacturer’s instructions will prevail.
- 3: Owners of advanced ultra-lights are reminded that they may not modify their aircraft without the Manufacturer’s permission.
- 4: TCCA does not perform any verification of Advanced Ultra-Light Aeroplane ( AULA ) or Basic Ultra-light designs. The addition of a model to the Listing of Models Eligible to be registered as AULA is based on a Declaration of Compliance by the manufacturer, and does not constitute any form of approval by TCCA .
Contact office:
For more information concerning this issue, contact Jeffrey Phipps, Chief, Operational Airworthiness, Standards Branch in Ottawa, by telephone at 613-952-4386, by fax at 613-990-1007, or by e-mail at jeff.phipps@tc.gc.ca.
Document approved by
Robert Sincennes
Director
Standards Branch
The Transport Canada Civil Aviation Safety Alert ( CASA ) is used to convey important safety information and contains recommended action items. The CASA strives to assist the aviation industry's efforts to provide a service with the highest possible degree of safety. The information contained herein is often critical and must be conveyed to the appropriate office in a timely manner. The CASA may be changed or amended should new information become available.
Quad City Challenger II lift strut brackets
(PDF, 466 KB)