Anonymous

‘‘CAUTION—BEFORE FLIGHT WHENEVER ELEVATOR CABLES ARE RECONNECTED OR NEW CABLES INSTALLED: Always check operation of elevators after a cable reconnect by pulling back on the control and ascertain that the elevators are in the UP position.’’ . I got my tickets in 1979 and 1980, so I haven't been around all that long. Am I the only one that's noticed that the above applies to other aircraft in addition to the Maule ? In fact, no matter what it says in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual, no one in their right mind is going to disconnect and reconnect a flight control cable without confirming proper deflection of the control with appropriate input. We are going down a long, slippery slope if we start to try and legislate standard aircraft maintenance work practices. What's next: an AD to color-code aileron cable connections? If this were to become a trend, we could see ADs issued to large blocks of aircraft models to ensure cotter pins installed in axle nuts, rig pins (and gust lock pins!) removed from flight controls prior to flight, proper torque applied to spark plugs and prop bolts, or better yet, an AD that makes it mandatory to comply with Title 14 CFR Section 43, 65 and 91. A study of NTSB reports and SDRs makes it clear that human beings need reminders and guidance at times, but those two mechanics that cross-connected those Maules and Didn't Check for proper travel, stop-to-stop, and direction of deflection, Will potentially do that on any aircraft they work on. We might just as well follow them around and write ADs for whatever gets put together incorrectly. In light of the above, I am requesting that the proposed AD not be issued.