N180EG
Operators of this aircraft
Who operated this tail, and how firmly we know it.
No operator established for this aircraft.
Accident & incident history
No NTSB accidents or incidents on file for this aircraft.
Maintenance disclosures
AN EMPLOYEE OBSERVED BLACK SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE UPPER FUSELAGE REAR EQUIPMENT BAY ACCESS PANELS OF THE SUBJECT AIRCRAFT. POWER WAS IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF AND ALL PERSONNEL REMOVED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. ON INSPECTION OF THE REAR EQUIPMENT BAY SMALL NAKED FLAMES WERE SEEN ON THE AFT LOWER FUSELAGE SURFACE AREA AND IMMEDIATELY EXTINGUISHED BY MEANS OF DISCHARGING A PORTABLE CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER INTO THE REAR EQUIPMENT BAY. A SECOND CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS DISCHARGED AS A PRECAUTION AND TO ACT AS A COOLING AGENT AGAINST ANY RESIDUAL HEAT. AT THE TIME THE AIRCRAFT INVERTERS AND BATTERIES WERE NOT INSTALLED IN THE AIRCRAFT THEREFORE POWER WAS BEING SUPPLIED TO THE AIRCRAFT BY MEANS OF A GPU. A HPU (HYDRAULIC POWER UNIT) WAS ALSO CONNECTED TO THE AIRCRAFT BUT WAS NO OPERATIONAL AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. ONCE THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED THE GPU & HPU WERE DISCONNECTED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. AIRPORTS FIRE SERVICE WERE CALLED, ARRIVED ON THE SCENE WITHIN MINUTES AND INSPECTED THE AFFECTED AREA. THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE FIRE HAD BEEN EXTINGUISHED AND NO FURTHER ACTION WAS REQUIRED. THE REAR EQUIPMENT BAY WAS CORDONED OFF PENDING ANY INVESTIGATION REQUIREMENTS.
DURING INSPECTION, NOTED THAT THE RUDDER TRIM TAB APPEARED TO HAVE EXCESSIVE PLAY. THE RUDDER TRIM TAB ROD ACTUATOR COVER PANEL WAS REMOVED AND IT WAS NOTED THAT A NUT WAS LYING LOOSE INSIDE THE PANEL. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THIS NUT ORIGINATED FROM THE RUDDER TRIM TAB ACTUATOR ROD LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET. THE BOLT WAS STILL IN PLACE AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF THE REQUIRED LOCKING COTTER PIN. IT WAS FURTHER NOTED THAT THE NUT ON THE BOLT OF THE UPPER MOUNTING BRACKET WAS STILL IN PLACE BUT LOOSE TO THE TOUCH. NO LOCKING COTTER PIN WAS PRESENT. INITIAL INDICATIONS SUGGEST THAT DURING A PREVIOUS MAINTENANCE INPUT THE RUDDER TRIM TAB ACTUATOR RODS WERE DISCONNECTED AND THEN ONLY PARTIALLY REINSTALLED LEAVING THE SAID NUTS NOT AT THE PRESCRIBED TORQUE VALUES AND THE REQUIRED COTTER PINS NOT INSTALLED. IT IS ASSUMED THAT WITH TIME AND VIBRATION ONE NUT VIBRATED LOOSE AND BECAME DETACHED FROM THE BOLT WHILE THE SECOND NUT ALSO VIBRATED LOOSE BUT REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE BOLT.