Cessna; 172F; Cracked Wing Spar; ATA 5711

A borescope inspection of this aircraft’s aft wing spar unveiled a crack around the flap-track attach points.

“Probable cause is fatigue,” states the submitter. “This is a very high time aircraft with over 13,000 hours total time. It has also been used as a flight trainer for its entire life. I recommend all C172s with 8000 hours or more be inspected, by borescope or other acceptable means, (in) the area of the rear wing spars around the flap track attach points.” (This mechanic submitted reports on two additional 172 aircraft with similar times having spar cracks in the same areas. These entries will be included in the SDRS database.)

Part Total Time: 13,526.01 hours.