Bummer news for the build…Service Bulletin
Well, my hopes of all the issues and bugs being worked out and buying a kit that was the product of all the revisions being incorporated have been dashed.
Van’s released a Service Bulletin (SM 14-1-31) that requires me to do some more work on the HS.
It appears that some cracks are forming in the forward spar interface with the ribs and skins and doublers are being called for now. Granted, I am glad I can comply now rather than later, but still a bummer as this SB requires some tear down of completed parts.
Fortunately, it is much easier to complete on the bench than on the plane.
SB 14-1-31 DWG Snip
If you look in the upper right corner of this drawing snippet, the relief notches are being found with cracks. This is likely due to the relief notch not being smooth and the stresses put here in flight.
While they are voluntary according to the FAA, I don’t want to chance anything in the future, so I am going to comply now, or as soon as the parts arrive.
Better safe than sorry.
