SERVICE BULLETIN 19-09-09
Date Released: February 26, 2020
Date Effective: February 26, 2020
Subject: Cracking of RV-10 nose gear leg inboard attach lug
Affected Models: RV-10 flying aircraft and/or Finish Kits shipped prior
to October 1, 2019
Required Action: Inspect the inboard attachment lugs of the WD-1017 Nose
Landing Gear for cracks (see Figure 1). If cracks are
discovered, replace the WD-1017 Nose Landing Gear with
the WD-1017-1 Nose Landing Gear as described in this
document. If no cracks are discovered, annual inspections
are required.
NOTE: This gear leg is heat treated. Welding as a method of repair is not approved.
SERVICE BULLETIN 18-05-21
Date Released: May 21, 2018
Date Effective: May 21, 2018
Subject: Proper installation of gauge plug in fuel spider.
Affected Models: All fuel injected Lycoming engine installations
Required Action: Check that a plug is properly installed in the fuel spider
gauge port.
Time of Compliance: Before further flight
Supercedes Notice: None
Labor Required / SLSA Warranty Allowance: .4 Hours (if applicable)
Level of Certification: Not applicable
Synopsis:
Installations have been found in the field without a proper pipe plug installed in the fuel
spider gauge port. Note new engines do not come with this plug installed.
SERVICE BULLETIN 18-03-30
Date Released: March 30, 2018
Date Effective: March 30, 2018
Subject: Elevator stop inspection
Affected Models: RV-10 aircraft with empennage kits purchased
after April 2012
Required Action: Inspect control system for jamming and proper elevator
travel. Correct operation if necessary.
Time of Compliance: Before further flight
Supercedes
Notice: None
Labor Required / SLSA Warranty Allowance: 0.3 Hours for the inspection
1.5 Hours if corrections are necessary
Level of Certification: None
Synopsis:
In April 2012 the lower aft portion of the elevator horn was removed. See the trimmed
face called out in Figure 1. This portion of the horn typically needs to be removed for use
on most RV aircraft. The RV-10 does not require this trim. It has come to our attention
that due to production tolerances it would be possible for the horn to jam against the up
elevator control stop. This condition would also permit excessive elevator up travel. If
either of these problems exist, the aft stop F-1012D Up Elevator Stop should be
replaced.
SERVICE BULLETIN 16-03-28
Date Released: May 6, 2016
Date Effective: May 6, 2016
Affected Models: All RV-3, 4, 6/6A, 7/7A, 8/8A, 9/9A, 10, and 14/14A aircraft.
Subject: Cracking of wing aft spar web at the inboard aileron hinge
bracket attach rivets. In addition, for RV-10 and RV-14/14A
aircraft, there is a potential for cracking of the flange bends
of the inboard aileron hinge brackets.
Required Action: For RV-3/3A/3B, 4, 7/7A, 8/8A, 9/9A aircraft: Inspect for
cracks as described in this document. If cracks are
present in the spar web, stop drill the cracks and install
aileron attach doublers as described in this service bulletin.
For RV-10 and RV-14/14A aircraft: Inspect for cracks as
described in this document. If cracks are found in the spar
web or the inboard aileron brackets, stop drill the cracks in
the spar web (if present), install aileron attach doublers,
and replace the aileron hinge brackets with updated
brackets.
It is unlikely that RV-6/6A wings will be affected. If cracks
are present in RV-6/6A aircraft, email Van’s Engineering
Dept for instructions, with photos of the cracks, for a
specific repair scheme.
Contact Van’s Aircraft to obtain the parts needed to
complete this modification for your specific model. See the
SB kit part numbers at the end of this document.
SERVICE BULLETIN 14-12-22
Date Released: December 22nd, 2014
Date Effective: December 22nd, 2014
Subject: WD-631-PC Nose Stop Flange installation orientation
Affected Models: RV-6A,7A,8A,9A,10
Required Action: Check for proper installation orientation and correct if
required.
Time of Compliance: Before Further Flight
Supersedes Notice: None
Level of Certification: None
Synopsis:
Van’s Aircraft has received reports of damage resulting from the WD-631-PC or WD1031 Nose Stop Flange (stop flange) having been oriented incorrectly during installation.
If the stop flange is installed incorrectly, it will allow insufficient rotation of the nose fork
during tight taxi turns and can cause the tire to drag sideways. This induces excessive
loads on the stop flange, nose gear leg, engine mount and the associated attach
hardware. The ‘arms’ of the stop flange should be oriented forward, not aft. See Figure
1 and Figure 2. If the stop flange is oriented with the ‘arms’ aft, it is installed incorrectly.
SERVICE BULLETIN 14-08-29
Date Released: August 29, 2014
Date Effective: August 29, 2014
Subject: RV-10 engine mount elastomer plate cracking.
Affected Models: All RV-10 aircraft.
Required Action:
Remove the engine cowling. Remove the WD-1015 Collar Assembly from the WD-1016 Nose
Gear Link Assy. Remove the weight from the nose wheel with the use of a ballasted tail stand,
etc. Remove the bolt at the lower end of the nose gear link assembly. Remove the nose gear
link assembly and J-11968-14 Elastomers.
Inspect the WD-1001E Elastomer Plate on the engine mount for cracks (use of a die penetrant
inspection kit may be useful in determining the presence of cracks). Based on inspection
results, complete the modifications required by this document.
Time of Compliance: At or before the next annual condition inspection
Synopsis:
Cracks have been discovered in the elastomer plate of some RV-10 engine mounts. To date, all
incidents of cracking have occurred on aircraft operating on rough fields.
Engine mounts shipped after August 13, 2014 are
not affected by this service bulletin.
SERVICE BULLETIN 11-9-13
Date: September 13, 2011
Subject: Fuel Tank Slosh Inspection
Affected Models: All
Required Action: Inspect for the presence and/or condition of fuel tank sloshing
compound.
Time of Compliance: Before further flight
Synopsis: Van’s has discouraged the use of fuel tank sloshing compounds
since the early 1990s. However, some standard RV fuel tanks currently in
service contain sloshing compounds applied by the original builder during
assembly or after completion. While sloshing compounds have never been used
during the initial assembly of QuickBuild tanks, these tanks may have
subsequently had sloshing compounds applied by the owner. The safe service
life of slosh can vary significantly depending on many factors including initial
preparation of the interior of the tank, type of slosh, type of fuel used, etc. Failure
of fuel tank slosh can cause in-flight power loss leading to injury or death.
Periodic inspections should be performed to assure that slosh, if present,
remains in airworthy condition.
SERVICE BULLETIN 10-1-4
Date: January 4, 2010
Subject: RV-10 Door Safety Latch
Affected Models: RV-10
Required Action: Install Door Safety Latch
Time of Compliance: Before further flight
Synopsis: Failure to secure the RV-10 doors properly may
result in damage or the doors detaching from the
airplane in flight. The safety latch provides
additional passive security in the event that a
door is not closed properly and the door warning
lights malfunction, or are not observed.
SERVICE BULLETIN 08-6-1
Date: June 1, 2008
Subject: F-1010 bulkhead reinforcement
Affected Models: RV-10
Required Action: Inspect F-1010 bulkhead for cracks
Install F-1010C bulkhead reinforcing doublers
Time of Compliance: Inspection of F-1010 bulkhead within the next 5 flight hours and at 25 hour
intervals until the next annual condition inspection and….
Installation of F-1010C doublers at or before the next annual condition
inspection. (Inspection requirement may be terminated after F-1010C doublers
are installed.)
Synopsis: A crack was discovered on the F-1010 bulkhead on Van’s RV-10 demonstrator
aircraft at ~500 hours time in service. The F-1010 bulkhead is integral in the
attachment of the forward spar of the horizontal and vertical stabilizers.
Inspection of the F-1010 bulkhead should be accomplished in order to determine
the integrity of the bulkhead. If no crack is found, recurrent inspections should
be accomplished until F-1010C doublers are installed during the next annual
condition inspection. If a crack is found during inspection, F-1010C doublers
should be installed prior to further flight in accordance with the instructions
outlined in this bulletin.
SERVICE BULLETIN 07-4-12
Date issued: April 11, 2007
Subject: Electric flap bearing retention
Applies: RV-4, RV-6/6A, RV-7/7A, RV-8/8A, RV-9/9A
SECURING THE ELECTRIC FLAP ACCTUATOR ROD END
Synopsis: If the rod end bearing on the flap motor jackscrew is not secured, the
rotation of the jackscrews may cause the bearing to unscrew and separate. This
will render the flaps inoperative.
Action: A jam nut is provided and, properly installed and tightened, will secure the
rod end bearing to the shaft of the jackscrew. As an extra precaution, Van’s
Aircraft, Inc. recommends drilling the end of the shaft and securing the
connection with safety wire as shown in the accompanying illustration.
S
ERVICE BULLETIN 06-9-20
Date issued: September 20, 2006
Applies to: All RV’s with manual trim and all RV-10’s.
Synopsis: An improved WD-415-1* manual trim cable anchor has been
designed and is being made available by Van’s Aircraft at a modest price. The
new anchor has closer angular tolerances and is substantially stronger than
those previously supplied.
SERVICE BULLETIN 06-2-3
DATE ISSUED February 3, 2006
APPLICATION RV-10 Vertical Stabilizer
BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION This Bulletin requires changes to the configuration of the RV-10 Vertical
Stabilizer shipped prior to February 3, 2006. A crack in the
web of the vertical stabilizer rear spar located at the top
rudder hinge brackets has been discovered on one of the
factory RV-10's. To prevent this, a hinge doubler is now
required on the vertical stabilizer rear spar of all RV-10 aircraft. If a crack already exists in your rear spar, please
contact Van's Aircraft for repair instructions.
SERVICE BULLETIN 04-2-1
DATE ISSUED: February 25, 2004
APPLICATION: Fuel Tanks
SUBJECT: Protective plastic sheeting found in fuel tank.
BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION:
Van’s Aircraft, Inc. recently received a report of clear protective plastic sheet having been found
inside fuel tanks. In 2000, the color of the applied protective sheeting was changed to a “blue” to
minimize the possibility of inadvertently leaving it in place during construction. Prior to this change,
the sheeting was clear and more difficult to detect on the skins. It has come to our attention that
at least one QuickBuild RV-6 aircraft produced prior to the change has been found with some of
the protective sheeting inside the tank. The report indicates that the rear baffles in both left and
right tanks were still covered in the protective plastic. This was detected by visual inspection
through the fuel filler necks during refueling.
Van’s Aircraft feels it prudent to issue this Service Bulletin recommending a one time inspection of
fuel tanks on all RV-6/6A QuickBuild Wings and any Standard Kit Wings built prior to our
supplying the “blue” version of protective sheeting.
SERVICE BULLETIN 02-12-1
DATE ISSUED: 12-11-02
SUBJECT:
Pre-manufactured oil and fuel hose assemblies, part numbers VA-129, VA-133, VA-134, VA-135,
VA-138, VA-139 purchased from Van’s Aircraft, Inc. before December 10, 2002. These hoses
carry fuel between the gascolator, fuel pump and carburetor/injector body, and oil between the
engine and oil cooler. Most have been supplied as part of Van’s Firewall Forward Kit, but some
may have been sold individually through Van’s Accessories Catalog.
BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION:
Van’s Aircraft, Inc. inspections have revealed that some hose assemblies may have been
improperly manufactured by the vendor supplying the hose to Van’s. Small curls of rubber, cut
from the inside of the hose as the ends were installed, may remain attached to the inner wall of
the hose. These may obstruct the flow of fluid through the hose and result in potentially unsafe
conditions.
SERVICE BULLETIN 96-10-1
Date issued: 10-8-96
Number: 96-10-1
Synopsis: Affects users of Van’s FAB-320 and FAB-360 filtered airboxes. Bolts attaching the top plate of the
airbox to the carburetor may come loose and be ingested in the engine, possibly causing severe damage.
