Cessna 336 N538JP Crashed in Guatemala

[rrice]

There was somewhat over 5,000 hours on the airframe. Obviously, as a 1963, 336, it had a LOT of YEARS on the airframe, perhaps an even more important issue. If we are fortunate enough to find another 336 like that one, I will be sure to pull ALL the cables out and have them completely inspected, along with the obvious (bellcranks and pulleys, etc). There are lots of places in the complex flap system where problems can crop up.

[Don Nieser]

Robert Rice and Ernie Martin, if the probable cause was the failure of flap cables, that needs to be determined. Robert could you remove the failed cables and quadrant/bell crank assemblies so that they could be examined? Cable part numbers are: 1460100-7 (Inboard) and 1460100-8 (Outboard), 1460100-6 (Return) and 1460100-34 (Return). Quadrant/Bellcrank part numbers are: 142620-11 and -12 (Inboard) and 1426020-1 and -2 (Outboard). see Figure 83. in the Cessna 336 Parts Catalog. The cable part numbers that are single or double numbers after the dash are ordinay steel/iron cables. If the part number is a -3XX after the dash it is a stainless steel cable. I will be glad to help in the investigation.
Don Nieser, Commodore Aerospace Corp. 405-503-4686

[rrice]

Don, Your are correct that it is all speculation at this point. The parts are in a relatively safe place in Guatemala. I need to get some help to take the wings appart for a more complete investigation. That will take some time. Thanks for your offer to help.
As I know more or have more parts, I will update this post.

[WebMaster]

Robert, I am not sure if you know how to get the flap quadrants/bellcranks and cables out of the wings, if it would help I could take some photos and send them to you. With the flaps in the down position, the access panels in the flap wells need to be removed to gain access to the cables and quadrants/bellcranks. The quadrants/bellcranks are held in by a bolt that goes from the top of the wing to a nut on the bottom of the wing. The cables ends are attached to the quadrants/bellcranks. I would look for any evidence of rust "iron oxide"
on the cable wires.
Don Nieser
Commodore Aerospace Corp
405-503-4686
On Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:37:25 -0400 (EDT) "Skymaster Forum"
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[birddog]

In the event of a broken cable and split flaps, does selecting flaps up return the flaps to a symetric position? Ie will both flaps travel to the up position or does the broken cable flap remain in the position at failure? Would selecting full flaps at a higher altitude have merit as a precation.
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