(The following is published as received from the Wichita Aircraft Certification Office. The effected models include 1977-1985, 1996, 1997; or, S/N’s 18266524 through 18268541, 1820001 through 18281317, and T18208001 through T18208231. Contact information can be found at the end of this discussion.)

“The FAA has received Service Difficulty Reports (SDR) from the Civil Aeronautics Safety Administration (CASA) Australia regarding failure of the support (P/N 0712059-1) for the installation of 24 volt batteries in Cessna 182 airplanes. In one report, both supports failed at 295 hours flight time since they were new. Beginning in 1989, seven similar reports were found in the FAA SDR database. The tie-downs were changed on the Cessna 182S, 182T, and T182T series airplanes to eliminate this problem.

“A long tie-down bolt runs through the grommet and down to the nutplate in the lower hat section shown in the figure. As the tie-down bolt is tightened, the load force pushes down on the grommet and support (P/N 0712059-1). The reactive forces, pushing upward at the screws to the battery box on each side, will tear the support (P/N 0712059-1).

“The tie-down bolts (not shown in the figure) hold the cover on the battery box. The bolts are to be snugly tightened. The self-locking mechanism used in the battery box does not require a lot of torque. If the bolts are tightened similar to other parts of the airplane as described in the maintenance manual or the FAA AC43.13-1B, change 1 section 3, then the support angles under the battery box will fail by tearing. If this happens, then these parts must be replaced.”

(Further inquiry may be directed to Mr. Gary Park, aerospace engineer; Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, KS 67209. Phone 316-946-4107.)