152 — Cessna Aircraft Company 152

This document is an AAIB Bulletin detailing a serious incident involving a Cessna 152 aircraft, registration G-BSZW. The incident occurred during an instructional flight when the aircraft experienced a loss of right rudder authority due to a failure of the rudder control bellcrank. The bulletin provides a thorough examination of the aircraft, the circumstances leading to the incident, and the subsequent investigation findings. It highlights the importance of regular inspections and adherence to maintenance protocols to prevent similar occurrences. The document serves as a critical reference for pilots, maintenance personnel, and aviation safety professionals, emphasizing the need for vigilance in aircraft maintenance and operation.

• The incident involved a Cessna 152, registration G-BSZW, which lost right rudder authority during flight.
• The failure was traced to stress corrosion cracking of the rudder bellcrank, exacerbated by fouling against the fuselage.
• The aircraft had not undergone the recommended supplementary inspections that might have detected the issue earlier.
• Regular maintenance and adherence to inspection protocols are critical to ensuring aircraft safety.
• The investigation concluded that the precise cause of the fouling condition was not established.