Discovery of Damage
During a Phase III inspection of the airplane, the Director of Maintenance for the operator observed damage to the firewall. The damage was subsequently reported to the nearest Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Standards District Office and was verified by FAA inspectors.
Timing of the Incident
The damage occurred at some point between the completion of the Phase II inspection and the start of the Phase III inspection. The airplane had accumulated 48.2 flight hours since the Phase II inspection.
FAA Determination
According to the FAA, the damage was a result of a hard landing. The specific flight during which the hard landing occurred, along with the purpose of the flight and the composition of the flight crew, could not be determined. Additionally, the exact date, location, and time of the accident were not identified.