Re: Re-riveting the Elevator Bellcrank Bulkhead
Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2021 3:07 am
I think a repair such as you describe might be doable, but would probably require special dispensation from either Cessna or a DER. In fact, the screws you reference are the ones that McFarlane has approved as an alternate way to fasten replacement seat rails. However, with a wood block as a fulcrum I can use a small prybar to make the flange lay down against the skin, but I just can’t get a bucking bar alongside to buck a rivet while it’s being held. So, we’re going to install the Cherry Max rivets while I’m on the inside holding the flange against the skin. When it’s all done, the bulkhead flanges will be held tight against the skin and all the holes will have either solid AD or Cherry Max rivets in place.gobrien wrote:I was thinking of something like https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... 9-1-05.php suitably sized, this specific one is likely too big. This is a pan-head screw with a shank (used for seat belt harness attachment). While I understand that the rivet fills the hole my concern is that the parts are pulling apart, and the previous attempt resulted in a shop head forming between the parts which I've had happen. If you can get the holes close to appropriately reamed, the clamping action of the screw as it is driven closed will tend to pull the parts together, this would seem a better option to riveting those 2 holes, even with blind rivets.
This may not be permitted with a certified plane; which was more where I was headed. How much discretion does one have to do such things?