Safety Alert for Straight-Tailed 260 or Viking

If you own or maintain a Straight-Tailed 260 or Viking, please read this safety alert (originally)from Alexandria Aircraft LLC (Bellanca Factory). There have been cracks found in the horizontal stabilizer attachment tube, affecting Models 14-19-3A, 17-30, 17-31, 17-31TC, 17-30A, 17-31A, and 17-31ATC All Serial Numbers.

Alexandria Aircraft LLC has received a field report of severe cracks in the vertical tube that supports the horizontal stabilizer on a 1967 Viking Model 17-30. The airplane had approximately 3700 hours TT. The cracks are on both left and right tubes and appear to start near the point where the horizontal stabilizer carry-through tube support bracket flange is welded to the vertical fuselage tube.

Right Side Looking Inboard / Aft

This problem is related to the Service Letter 85A: Horizontal Stabilizer Attachment Tube PN190202-37 Inspection and Repair and Airworthiness Directive 75-20-06: Detect Cracks in Either Vertical Side Fuselage Tube Adjacent to Horizontal Stabilizer which required a 100 hour repetitive inspection of the top of the vertical tubes until Bellanca Service Kit SK1234789-0004: Gusset - Stabilizer, Installation and Drag Brace - Stabilizer, Installation is installed. The aircraft in question had the Service Kit installed; the current problem therefore applies to all serial numbers. 

Right Side Looking Inboard / Aft

This problem is related to the Service Letter 85A: Horizontal Stabilizer Attachment Tube PN190202-37 Inspection and Repair and Airworthiness Directive 75-20-06: Detect Cracks in Either Vertical Side Fuselage Tube Adjacent to Horizontal Stabilizer which required a 100 hour repetitive inspection of the top of the vertical tubes until Bellanca Service Kit SK1234789-0004: Gusset - Stabilizer, Installation and Drag Brace - Stabilizer, Installation is installed. The aircraft in question had the Service Kit installed; the current problem therefore applies to all serial numbers. 

Left Side Looking Inboard / Aft