What happened
On July 26, 2018, during a scheduled 50-hour maintenance inspection of an SZD-50-3 Puchacz, registration SP-3204, a structural defect was identified within the forward cockpit. While performing the required service tasks at a maintenance organization in Warsaw Babice (EPBC), technicians discovered a crack in the left base of the rudder control stick mechanism. Additionally, a portion of the control mechanism was found to be missing from the right pedal area.
The operator was unable to determine when the damage occurred or the specific cause of the failure. Following the discovery, the rudder pedals were repaired at the Glider Factory (Zakład Szybowcowy) in accordance with the task card and Part 145 standards. The aircraft was subsequently cleared for flight.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined the findings from the maintenance report provided by the aircraft operator. The investigation focused on the nature of the damage to the rudder control assembly and the circumstances surrounding its discovery during the routine inspection process.