AL 2002-08
11 December 2002
Transport Canada has received a SDR reporting a crack on the rear pressure bulkhead on a Beech A100 aircraft with approximately 16,000 hrs total time. The crack may have been a result of inadequate clearance between channel P/N 50-440014-595, located on the lower, aft side of pressure bulkhead and the pressure bulkhead, FS 347.750 (See Fig. A). Normal in-service flexing of the bulkhead resulted in interference with the channel causing a stress riser, which eventually led to the development of a crack approximately 0.5 inch in length. Inspection of other King Air 100 aircraft in the operator's fleet has shown that, although no additional cracking was found, similar interference between the channel and bulkhead was seen, and the development of similar stress risers was evident.
Transport Canada recommends that owners and operators of this model of aircraft perform a close visual inspection of this area to ensure the structural integrity of the rear pressure bulkhead.
Any defects or further occurrences of this nature to be reported Transport Canada, Continuing Airworthiness, and Ottawa via the Service Difficulty Reporting program.
For further information contact a Transport Canada Center, or call 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
B. Goyaniuk
Chief, Continuing Airworthiness