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March, 1996

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It seem this 5,000-hour former fighter pilot, current C-12 driver, was so sick he could barely stand up and was as pale as the proverbial sheet. He wasn't throwing up, but he had stomach pain and had almost GLOC'd getting up from the couch. Then came his answer to my question, and it locked on the probable diagnosis. "Yes, my stool is black."

A quick exam, including the dreaded finger wave, and my suspicions were confirmed. It wasn't the flu it was gastrointestinal (GI) bleed, probably a stomach ulcer. A blood count revealed his hemacrit to be 19 (42 is normal for males). He had lost over half his red blood cells.

Naturally, he was DNIF'd (Duty Not Involving Flight) and admitted to the hospital. The surgeon performed an esophagastroduodenoscopy a boroscope of the GI tract and he did, indeed, have a bleeding ulcer. After four units of blood and some medication, he felt much better.

What was the cause of this ulcer? Our pilot had been having sinus headaches for several years and was taking aspirin to makes his headaches go away usually 20-30 aspirin a day! Well, aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, erodes the stomach nicely and is a common cause of ulcers.

What about his headaches? The pilot had diagnosed himself with sinus headaches. Aspirin helped a lot, so he took a lot. After a while, his headaches seemed to come when the aspirin wore off. So he took more aspirin, and the headaches would go away. He had been doing this for a couple of years. No big deal, right? It was now it had caused an ulcer, and he was physically addicted to aspirin. Yeah, a lieutenant colonel aspirin junkie!

Had our hero been flying? No, he hadn't been flying. He had the engine off his Pitts Special as was putting in a bigger one so he could really twist his tail. I was glad the guy who had nearly blacked out getting out of his chair had enough sense not to fly. His plane was broken, so he couldn't fly anyway.

After a couple of months, he was completely recovered, his blood levels were back to normal, a scope showed no ulcers, and he was off all medication. He had no problems stopping the aspirin, and his headaches went away. He received a waiver and was returned to flying duty.

And now for the rest of the story. Who showed up in my office a couple of years later? The same pilot. (By the way, I'd flown with him several times, and he was one of the best pilots I'd ever seen.) It seems he had been under a lot of pressure lately. He was retiring, trying to sell a house, and was going to move to Florida to his new house by the airport. (Tough life, right?) His wife was already in Florida, and he didn't have another job lined up.

The pilot had felt that familiar pain in his stomach and had those black stools again. The antacids didn't stop it, so he came to sick call. A quick blood count showed him to be just as low as the first time. We admitted him to the hospital for awhile and tuned him up a little before letting him go back out. We didn't transfuse him any blood this time as he was not quite as symptomatic, and there was more concern about transmitting an infectious disease.

Of course, he was DNIF'd and admonished not to fly at all. He went home and showed up every couple of weeks for a blood count. A month went by, and his blood count was up to 23.5. He hadn't been flying but he was very anxious to get his (by now) three airplanes down to his new home in Florida.

I told him his blood count was way to low to be flying and not to try it. Two weeks later, he returned. His count was 26. Asked directly if he had been flying, he said he'd gone around the pattern a few times in another guy's plane and had done okay. He really needed to get his planes to Florida and wanted up again. Again, I told him he wasn't ready to fly.

Two weeks later, he showed up in my office for his next blood count. It was better now above 30 but no, he still wasn't ready to fly. He agreed sheepishly. I questioned him on any recent flying and he admitted he had flown one of his planes to Florida.

I asked him if he had any problems and at what altitude he had flown. He said 7,000 feet, and he took a portable supplemental oxygen unit and used it. He said he had no problems flying down there. He added he hadn't any problems on the first airliner coming back. But he said on the second airliner he became hypoxic and passed out. He recovered later at a lower altitude. After the flight, he asked to captain what the cabin altitude was and was told around 7,000 feet.

Without the supplemental oxygen, and with a longer flight than the first one, his blood has desaturated its oxygen and he become hypoxic and unconscience. He was now a believer and knew he was lucky to be able to come back and tell me of his adventure. He waited until he was cleared to fly by his flight surgeon to resume flying.

Self-assessment of medical problems and self-medication should not be done by fliers. They lack to training necessary to make a proper diagnosis, get appropriate medical treatment, and to have an objective medical assessment of their flying status.

Even seemingly minor problems that persist should be evaluated by the flight surgeon. If it's minor, you'll be told that. If not, you'll get the proper evaluation and treatment. Experimenting with your life is not the way to test your medical judgment. Medical assessments, treatments, and determinations of flying status should be left up to the flight surgeon.

PALMDALE
LOS ANGELES ARTCC ATC FAMILIARIZATION FOR PILOTS
"OPERATION RAINCHECK"
MIDAIR COLLISION AVOIDANCE BRIEFING
DATE: Third Saturday 8 A.M. - 4 P.M. Monthly
Location: Los Angeles ARTC Center, Palmdale Free
TransportationFly into AF Plant 42 (3-day notice required)
Speaker: Edwards AFB Flight Safety Team
Contact: Los Angeles ARTCC, Todd Whitman, 2555 E. Ave. "P",
Palmdale, CA 93550 or (805) 538-2420
E-Mail Address: twhitman@hidesert.com
Reservations Required

STALLS AND SPINS
DATE: Sat., Mar. 2 - 9 - 11 A.M.
Location: AV8, Inc., 16431 Vanowen Street, VNY Airport (Between
Hayvenhurst and Odessa, behind Schaefer's)
Speaker: Richard Mend CFI-AIM-ATP
Sponsors: Mend Aviation Ground Schools, AV8, Inc., CAP, FAA
Contact: Richard Mend - ASC
(818)994-9770
Reservations Required

FLYING TO ALASKA
DATE: Sat., Mar. 9 - 9 - 11 A.M.
Location: AV8, Inc., 16431 Vanowen Street, VNY Airport (Between
Hayvenhurst and Odessa, behind Schaefer's)
Speaker: Jim Jones
Sponsors: Mend Aviation Ground Schools, AV8, Inc., CAP, FAA
Contact: Richard Mend ASC-VNY-FSDO (818) 944-9770
Reservations Required

FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR SEMINAR:
PREPARING YOUR STUDENT FOR THE CHECKRIDE
DATE: Wed., Mar 13 - 7 - 9 P.M.
Location: AV8, Inc., 16431 Vanowen Street, VNY Airport (Between
Hayvenhurst and Odessa, behind Schaefer's)
Speaker: Bill Talley FAA DPE - SBA
Sponsors: Mend Aviation Ground Schools, AV8, Inc., CAP, FAA
Contact: Richard Mend - ASC (818)994-9770
Reservations Required

FLYING THE ILS WITH STYLE
DATE: Wed., Mar 13 - 7 P.M.
Location: Simulator & Instrument Training Center, 16501 Sherman
Way, Suite 225, Van Nuys*
Speaker: Bob Crystal CFI-AIM, Director of Training Simulator & Instrument Training Center
Sponser: VNY FSDO and Instrument Training Center
Contact: Simulator & Instrument Training Center (818) 988-7224
Reservations Required
(West on Sherman Way from 405 Freeway to Brown Building at the
Northwest corner of Sherman Way & Hayvenhurst (across from United Beechcraft).
Enter through the west side of the building).

HELICOPTER EMERGENCIES
DATE: Sat., Mar. 16 - 9 - 11 A.M.
Location: AV8, Inc.,16431 Vanowen Street, VNY Airport
Speaker: Pete Gillies - Chief Pilot, Wester Helicopter L-67
Sponsors: Mend Aviation Ground Schools, AV8, Inc., CAP, FAA
Contact: Richard Mend - ASC (818)994-9770
Reservations Required

PILOT EMPLOYMENT SEMINAR:
PREPARING FOR THE ORAL INTERVIEW
DATE: Tue., Mar. 19 - 5:30 - 7 P.M.
Location: AV8, Inc., 16431 Vanowen Street, VNY Airport
Speaker: Lance Alsheimer, Ret. USMC Pilot CEO/Owner AV8, Inc.
Sponsors: Mend Aviation Ground Schools, AV8, Inc., CAP, FAA
Contact: Richard Mend ASC (818)994-9770
Reservations Required!!!

FLYING THE MOUNTAIN WAVE
DATE: Wed., Mar 20 - 7 - 9 P.M.
Location: AV8, Inc., 16431 Vanowen Street, VNY Airport
Speaker: Cindy Brickner CFI-G ASC respresenting Caracole Soaring L-71
Sponsors: Mend Aviation Ground Schools, AV8, Inc., CAP, FAA
Contact: Richard Mend - ASC (818)994-9770
Reservations Required

AVIATION TECHNICIAN SEMINAR:
SERVICING PROPELLERS
DATE: Thur., Mar 21 - 5:30 - 7 P.M.
Location: AV8, Inc., 16431 Vanowen Street, VNY Airport
Speaker: Head Technician - Santa Monica Propeller Service, SMO
Sponsors: Mend Aviation Ground Schools, AV8, Inc., CAP, FAA
Contact: Richard Mend - ASC
(818) 994-9770
Reservations Required

WAKE TURBULENCE AND HOW TO AVOID IT
DATE: Sat., Mar 23 - 9 - 11 A.M.
Location: AV8, Inc. 16431 Vanowen Street, VNY Airport
Speaker: Richard Mend CFI-AIM-ATP
Sponsors: Mend Aviation Ground Schools, AV8, Inc., CAP, FAA
Contact: Richard Mend - ASC (818)994-9770
Reservations Required

COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT JEPPESENAPPROACH CHARTS -- PART 1
DATE: Wed., Mar 27 - 7 P.M.
Location: Simulator & Instrument Training Center,
16501 Sherman Way, Suite 225, Van Nuys
Speaker: Bob Crystal CFI-AIM, Director of Training Simulator & Instrument Training Center
Sponser: VNY FSDO and Instrument Training Center
Contact: Simulator & Instrument Training Center (818) 988-7224

IFR DECISION MAKING
DATE: Sat., Mar. 30 - 9 - 11 A.M.
Location: AV8, Inc. 16431 Vanowen Street, VNY Airport
Speaker: Richard Mend CFI-AIM-ATP
Sponsors: Mend Aviation Ground Schools, AV8, Inc., CAP, FAA
Contact: Richard Mend ASC-VNY-FSDO (818) 994-9770
Reservations Required

SANTA BARBARA
OPERATING IN HIGH DENSITY AIRSPACE
DATE: Thur., Mar 21 - 7 - 9 P.M.
Location: Southern California Edison Company Conference Room, 333
David Love Place, Goleta, CA 93117
Speaker: Aviation Safety Counselors John Clark & Karen Kahn
Sponsor: Aviation Career Counseling of Santa Barbara
Contact: Aviation Career Counseling (805) 687-9493

CAMARILLO
A SHORTCUT TO EASIER HOLDING PATTERNS
DATE: Wed., Mar 21 - 7 P.M.
Location: Public Assembly Room, 555 Airport Way, Camarillo Airport
Speaker: Bob Crystal, CFI-AIM-CE-500, Director of Training Simulator & Instrument Training Center of Van Nuys
Sponsor: Sun-Air Aviation, Inc. of Camarillo
Contact: Sun-Air Aviation (805)987-8464

EL MONTE
"ACCIDENT SURVIVAL SAMURAI AIRMANSHIP"
DATE: Tues., Mar 12 - 7 - 9:30 P.M.
Location: El Monte Community Center, 3130 N. Tyler, El Monte
Speaker: Videos
Sponsor: San Gabriel Valley 99s &
San Gabriel Valley Airports Assoc.
Contact: Jim Whitehead (310) 215-2150 or 800 WX BRIEF #3

PASADENA
CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN - PILOT / CONTROLLER RESPONSIBILITY
DATE: Fri., Mar 15 - 7 - 9:30 P.M.
Location: Pasadena City College,
"V" Bldg, Rm 211, SE of "R" Bldg (tallest
on campus) Park in lots off Hill St.
Speaker: John Hazlet, Amerflight
Sponsor: Amerflight & LAXFSDO Aviation Safety Program
Contact: Jim Whitehead (310) 215-2150 or 800 - WX BRIEF#320

LAVERNE
LANDINGS III
DATE: Tues., Mar 19 - 7 - 9:30 P.M.
Location: Brackett Airport Administration Building
Speaker: Runway 37 & Air Desert Pacific CFI's
Sponsor: COMARCO & LAXFSDO Aviation Safety Program
Contact: Jim Whitehead (310) 215-2150 or 800 - WX BRIEF #320

SANTA MONICA
FATIGUE BUSTERS
DATE: Thurs., Mar 28 - 7- 9:30 P.M.
Location: Santa Monica museum of Flying (theater 3rd floor) Santa Monica Airport North Side
Speaker: Jim Whitehead LAXFSDO Safety Program Mgr.
Sponsor: Museum of Flying
Contact: Jim Whitehead (310) 215- 2150 or 800 - WX BRIEF #320

GLENDALE
FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REFRESHER COURSE
DATE: Sat., Mar 30 7:30 A.M. & Sun., Mar 31 8 A.M.
Registration: 30 minutes prior to start
Location: Glendale Community College.
Speaker: Bob Norris and others.
Sponsors: San Fernando Valley 99's Contact:
99's Hotline @ (818)989-0081 (Note): Graduation certificates will be accepted by the FAA for 90 days for CIF renewal.

FRENCH VALLEY AIRPORT
WAKE TURBULENCE AVOIDANCE - OPERATING SMALL AIRCRAFT
NEAR LARGE AIRCRAFT SAFELY
DATE: Wed., Mar 20 - 7 - 9P.M.
Location: French Valley Airprot Terminal Building
Speaker: Kent Mosdale, Captain Delta Airlines
Sponsor: Riverside FSDO Safety Program.
Contact: R.C. Morton, SPM RAL FSDO (909)276-6701 ext. 37

PALM SPRINGS AIRPORT
AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES
DATE: Thurs., Mar 21 - 7 - 9:00P.M.
Location: Palm Springs City Counsel Chambers - Across from Combs Gates.
Speaker: Air Traffic Personnel from SCT and PSP ATCT
Sponsor: Palm Springs EAA Chapter 1116
Contact: R.C. Morton, SPM RAL FSDO (909)276-6701 ext. 37

RIVERSIDE AIRPORT
"QUICK TURN-AROUND REFRESHER"
OWNER MAINTENANCE
DATE: Thurs., Mar 28- 6:30 - 8:30P.M.
Location: Riverside FSDO on Riverside Municipal Airport
Speaker: Jack Gentry, Airworthiness Inspector at Riverside FSDO
Sponsor: Riverside FSDO Safety Program.
Contact: R.C. Morton, SPM RAL FSDO (909)276-6701 ext. 37
Reservation Required - program limited to 20 participants

TORRANCE AIRPORT
PRIVATE PILOT GROUND SCHOOL
DATE: Mar 11 Thru Apr 17 - (Mon & Wed) 7 - 9:30 P.M.
Location: Bravo Wing - On Torrance airport.
Contact: Bravo Wing for more info (310)325-9565

TORRANCE AIRPORT
INSTRUMENT GROUND SCHOOL
DATE: Mar 12 Thru Apr 11 (Tues & Thurs) - 6:30 - 9:30 P.M.
Location: Bravo Wing - On Torrance airport.
Contact: Bravo Wing for more info (310)325-9565

TORRANCE AIRPORT
HOW TO AVOID AIRMEN CERTIFICATE LEGAL ACTION
DATE: Wed., Mar 13 - 7:15 - 8:30 P.M.
Location: General Aviation Center (At the base of the tower.)
Speakers: Fred Woodruff - Attorney at Law , with Chevalier, Allen & Lichman Host: Hank Smith - 1994 CFI of the Year (Western-Pacific Region)
Sponsor: Torrance Airport Association
Contact: Hank Smith (310) 324-1800
No Reservations Required.

TORRANCE AIRPORT
HOW TO AVOID HAZARDOUS WEATHER - (IN PLANE ENGLISH)
DATE: Wed., Mar 13 -6:30 - 7:15 P.M.
Location: General Aviation Center (At the base of the tower.)
Speakers: Lyn Carlson National CFI of the Year. Host: Hank Smith - 1994 CFI of the Year (Western-Pacific Region)
Sponsor: Torrance Airport Association
Contact: Hank Smith (310) 324-1800
No Reservations Required.

LONG BEACH
THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES
This week's selections include:
On Landings Part II (section B)
On Landings Part III (sections A, B, C)
An excellent seminar to improve your landing skills even if you missed Part I.
DATE: Thurs., Mar 28 -7-9:30P.M.
Location: LGB FSDO, 5001 Airport Plaza Drive, Suite 100, Long Beach (From
the coroner of Spring & Clark, go south on Clark - The FSDO is the first 2
story building on the right)
Speaker: None - All video presentation
Sponsor: LGB FSDO Aviation Safety Program
Contact: LGB FSDO (310) 420-1755
Reservations Required.

GILLESPIE FIELD ATCT
OPERATION SUNBREAK
DATE: Call for date and time
Location: Gillespie Tower - 2001 N. Marshall, El Cajon
Contact: Gillespie ATCT for info and reservations - (619) 448-1449
Sponsor: Gillespie Air Traffic Control Tower Specialists

MONTGOMERY FIELD ATCT
"OPERATION SUNBREAK"
DATE: Call for date and time
Location: Montgomery Tower - 4298 Ponderosa Avenue, San Diego
Contact: Montgomery ATCT for info and reservations - (619) 277-5601
Sponsor: Montgomery Air Traffic Control Tower Specialists

BROWN FIELD ATCT
"OPERATION SUNBREAK"
DATE: Wed., Mar 20 - 6 - 8 P.M.
Location: Brown Field Tower - 1411 Continental Street, San Diego
Contact: Brown ATCT for info and reservations - (619) 661-6333
Sponsor: Brown ATCT Specialists

MONTGOMERY FIELD AFSS
"OPERATION TAKE OFF"
DATE: Sat., Mar 30 - 9 A.M. - 1 P.M.
Location: San Diego Automated Flight Service Station - 4302 Ponderosa Avenue
Contact: Orrin Kelso at the AFSS for info and reservations - (619) 277-0503
Sponsor: San Diego Automated Flight Service Station

BROWN FIELD
ON LANDINGS - PART I
DATE: Tues., Mar 12 - 7 - 9 P.M.
Location: Kome Flight Service - (619) 661-6997
Speaker: Video Presentation
Sponsor: San Diego Association of Aviation Safety Counselors

PALOMAR AIRPORT
FLIGHT DECK RESOURCE MANAGEMENT -
WINDSHEAR & WAKE TURBULENCE AVOIDANCE
DATE: Thurs., Mar 14 - 7 - 9 P.M.
Location: Mission West Conference Room
Speaker: Michael Pappas - FAA Designated Pilot Examiner
Sponsor: Four Winds Aviation

FALLBROOK COMMUNITY AIRPARK
NON-TOWER AIRPORT TRAFFIC PATTERN PROCEDURES
DATE: Tues., Mar 19 - 7 - 9 P.M.
Location: Fallbrook Air Service - (619) 728-1231
Speaker: John Knieff - FAA Designated Aviation Safety Counselor
Sponsor: San Diego Association of Aviation Safety Counselors

GILLESPIE FIELD
ON LANDINGS - PART I
DATE: Wed., Mar 20 - 7 - 9 P.M.
Location: Terminal Building
Speaker: Video Presentation
Sponsor: San Diego Association of Aviation Safety Counselors

MONTGOMERY FIELD
ON LANDINGS - PART I
DATE: Tues., Mar 26 - 7 - 9 P.M.
Location: FAA Flight Standards District Office - (619) 557-5281
Speaker: Video Presentation
Sponsor: San Diego FSDO Safety Program

IMPERIAL COUNTY AIRPORT
YUMA APPROACH CONTROL PROCEDURES
DATE: Thurs., Mar 28 - 7 - 9 P.M.
Location: Terminal Building - 2nd Floor Conference Room
Speaker: Art Rodriques - FAA Designated Aviation Safety Counselor
Sponsor: San Diego FSDO Safety Program

ISSUED: January 2, 1996
EFFECTIVE: January 16, 1996

SUBJECT: IMPLEMENTATION OF A THIRD GROUND CONTROL POSITION AT LOS ANGELES AIRPORT

CANCELLATION: January 16, 1998

Los Angeles ATCT will implement a third ground control position (GC3) beginning on January 16, 1996. This new position will relieve the frequency congestion and complexity currently experienced during peak demand periods.

The area of jurisdiction of this new position will be all areas south of runway 25L/7R, taxiway 49 (soon to be Sierra), taxiways Kilo and Juliet (Bravo and Charlie) west of taxiway 49 (Sierra), and taxiway 75 (Alfa Alfa) and the west gates area.

The Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) will contain frequency information for aircraft based south of Runway 25L/7R. Otherwise, individual taxiing aircraft may receive a new frequency assignment depending upon their location and gate availability.

Other changes are expected to be transparent except for an improvement in efficiency and quality of service. Initially, the GC3 position will be operational daily from 11:00 lcl - 14:00 lcl with other times based upon need.

John F. O'Leary III
Air Traffic Manager
Los Angeles ATCT

CANCELLATION: JANUARY 1, 1998

Effective January 26, 1996, an automation data link between John Wayne Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and authorized users will be available enabling utilization of Pre-Departure Clearances (PDC). The PDC process allows transmission of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) departure clearances and related local information from the ATCT Flight Data Input/Output system to a participating aircraft via the participant's network computer system by data communication transfer. The PDC process virtually eliminates the need for verbal communication between John Wayne Clearance Delivery and participating aircraft and reduces verbiage and frequency congestion, particularly during peak traffic periods. Additional benefits result from reducing the opportunity for misunderstood clearances by providing participating flight crew with a printed copy.

Those requesting to participate in PDC at John Wayne Airport must contact:
Federal Aviation Administration
Project Lead for Aeronautical
Data Link, AND-310
800 Independence Avenue, SW.
Washington, D.C. 20591

Jeffrey H. Thorstenson
Air Traffic Manager
John Wayne Tower

Alert No.208 November Issue page 2
BEECH MODEL F33A Power Loss
The pilot reported a power loss occurred during takeoff. A successful landing was made on a down wind runway. Investigation revealed the flexible fuel hoses had been replaced 30 days prior. The fuel hose from the engine driven fuel pump was found loose. It was established that the proper torque had been applied when the hoses had been replaced.

Alert No.208, November Issue page 4
CESSNA 172 Elevator Torque Tube Attachment
During preflight inspection, the left and right elevators were found to move independently when hand pressure was applied. Investigation revealed the six rivets used to attach torque tube to the flange had sheared. A simple check is to simultaneously, try to move the right and left elevator in opposite directions at the trailing edge. Any movement between them should be cause to investigate further.

Alert No. 208, November Issue page 7
PIPER MODEL PA 22-160 TRI PACER
During an annual inspection, cracks were found at the aft attachment area of wing rib numbers 1, 2, and 3. The inboard wing flap attachment was also cracked.
A review of the maintenance records disclosed the aircraft had suffered extensive wing damage that required replacement of the left wing. An investigation determined the wing used was from a PA 22-135 model aircraft. Although this wing was dimensionally the same as the PA 22-160 wing, it had a larger wing rib spacing, and there was one less rib. In addition, the 160 wing has a Vfe of 95 KIAS compared to a Vfe of 80 KIAS for the 135 wing. It was speculated that using the 135 wing on this aircraft may have subjected it to higher flap extension speeds and caused the damage found.

November Issue Page 15
ALTERED EMERGENCY PARACHUTES
Information for the following article was furnished by the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) located in Jacksonville, Florida.
They found parachutes that have been assembled and sold as emergency escape devises. These parachutes may have been modified from a "chest pack" configuration to a "seat pack" design without proper approval or testing.
The subject parachutes have been sold using a designation of "NS-3," and consist of various surplus military harnesses and parachute containers that were manufactured and marked with an identification of "NC-3." In some cases it was found that an "MC-1" harness was modified to allow the chest mount container to be placed in a seat location.
There is no FAA approval basis for these modifications. It is suggested that any parachute owners in possession of a "seat pack" parachute of military type configuration, consult their rigger for assistance in determining that the equipment is approved and meets the requirements of FAR Parts 91.307 (e), and 105.43(d). Military parachutes, when modified, must meet the military specification.
For additional information on this subject, contact Mr. George Erdel, Aviation Safety Inspector with the FAA FSDO located in Jacksonville, Florida. His telephone number is (904) 641-7311.

Alert No. 208, November Issue page 7
PIPER MODEL J3 TAIL BRACE WIRE HARDWARE
During restoration of this aircraft, the tail plane external bracing wire nipples (P/N U4101-000) were found badly worn. The defective nipples were made of brass.
The submitter stated this defect was impossible to see without relieving the tension from the bracing wires. The submitter suggested checking the hardware for this type damage during annual inspections. This defect could have resulted in a catastrophic event had the aircraft been operated in a turbulent air environment. Part total time was reported as 2,881 hours.

NOTE: The above situations are not peculiar to just the above makes and models. These occurrences have been found in the past and could occur in the future "Keep'um Flying Safely."

PHASE I
Kelly Marshall
Paul W. Mohr
John W. Walker

PHASE II
Stu Alpin
Carolyn Brown
Barney Lum

PHASE IV
Jay W. Akely
Lawrence L White III

PHASE VI
Dave Larky
Penny E. Moynihan
Philip I. Moynihan

PHASE VII
John R. Matyas
Jay B. Trunnell

PHASE IX
Marshall Jon Wallelunga
Nina Yates

PHASE X (2)
Richard Mathias

PHASE I
Alfredo Geovanni Juarez
Kengo Ohsawa
Jean Michael Carlouet
Charles H. Williams
Kyaw Aya Than
Chris Warners
Alessandra K. Djurklov
Robert Ribitsch
Kiroyuki Koga
Steve Pettee
Takashi Nakase

PHASE II
Thomas Sponseller
Albert Atkins

PHASE III
Vincent J. Giampa
Gail F. Person

PHASE IX
Curtis Reinhardt

PHASE I
Edwin Hooper
Robert Searing
Brenda Meyer
Herbert Friedman
Gilbert Lerna

PHASE II
Richard Kelly
Russell Stringham
Randy Arellana

PHASE VI
Donald McDowell

PHASE I
William G. Batchelor
Michael P. Entis
Andrew C. Silver

PHASE II
Patrick S. Coyle
William P. Ogelsby

PHASE III
Zane D. Hovey

PHASE IV
Robert J. Golo

PHASE VI
Miles J. Barrett
Josephine A. Mayk

PHASE VII
Gary L. Kauffman

PHASE I
William MacLean
David Holmes
David H. Wilson
John Robert Woods
Jan M. Wood
Brian Thomson
Pamela Anne Distaso
Kristen Greblo

PHASE II
Tyrone Mettler
Dan Lichtner
Dmitri Michas
Joel Kelley
Gary Lind

PHASE III
Tyrone G. Mettler
John D. Ross

PHASE VI
Hugh B. Robertson
John S. Child

PHASE VIII
Ori B. Fogel

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