Group Suggests “Especially Diligent Inspections” For 150s and 152s

When the FAA recently published an “Airworthiness Concern Sheet” noting that cracks have been found in the vertical fin attachment brackets of some Cessna 150- and 152-series airplanes, it requested input from type clubs and pilot groups by October 22. This week, a Cessna 150-152 type club in California published online its analysis of the concerns, along with its recommendations to owners. “We believe the FAA will wait for Cessna to issue a forthcoming Service Bulletin,” the group says at its Web site, and expects “inspections will [likely] become mandatory via a new Airworthiness Directive in 2004.” Meanwhile, the group suggests, “We recommend that you and your mechanic make an especially diligent inspection of these parts at the next service interval.” Owners are asked to notify the type club of their findings. “If you suspect cracks, take the extra effort to document your disassembly and any subsequent repairs with photographs, and keep an accurate record about the availability of replacement parts, and the expense to install them,” it says at the site. “Both the authorities and other owners can benefit from your experience. Please e-mail us details of any significant personal experience you have in the inspection and/or replacement of these components.” More reaction from AOPA, EAA, the Cessna Pilots Association, and other interested groups is expected by the comment deadline later this month.