The pilot side step (WD-1233-L) failed as I started to man the aircraft. WD-1233-L fractured at the lower end of the welds on both sides of the channel that mounts the step to the fuselage. The step did not separate completely and ended up hanging from the bottom of the airplane. I removed and inspected the right side step. WD-1233-R appears to a small crack at the end of each of the 2 welds where WD-1233-L failed.
Other than being surprised by the step disappearing under me there wasn?t any problem. If the step had failed when I was exiting the aircraft then I might have had a problem.
I?ve submitted a RV-12 Feedback Form (Safety Alert) to Van?s Engineering this morning but I wanted to get the information out so you can take necessary precautions when getting in and out of the airplane.
I am 6 ?5? tall and weigh 215 lbs so the pilot?s side step does get a work out. I am trying to confirm that there are cracks on the passenger step since it doesn?t get the weight and cycles that the pilot side does. I?ll update the passenger step information when I get an expert opinion. The aircraft has logged 268 hrs over 380 flights.
Bob Kibby ?N712BK?
Other than being surprised by the step disappearing under me there wasn?t any problem. If the step had failed when I was exiting the aircraft then I might have had a problem.
I?ve submitted a RV-12 Feedback Form (Safety Alert) to Van?s Engineering this morning but I wanted to get the information out so you can take necessary precautions when getting in and out of the airplane.
I am 6 ?5? tall and weigh 215 lbs so the pilot?s side step does get a work out. I am trying to confirm that there are cracks on the passenger step since it doesn?t get the weight and cycles that the pilot side does. I?ll update the passenger step information when I get an expert opinion. The aircraft has logged 268 hrs over 380 flights.
Bob Kibby ?N712BK?