PSA: Found a cracked engine mount on a Cessna 172 in Phoenix last Tuesday

I was doing a routine 100-hour inspection on a 172 at Deer Valley Airport and spotted a hairline crack on the left engine mount near the firewall. It was barely visible, maybe 1/8 inch long, but when I wiped it down with solvent it opened up a lot more. The owner said it had been flying like that for probably 6 months. Now I pull the cowling and really check every mount on every annual, not just a quick glance. Anyone else found something scary that was hiding in plain sight?

2 comments

2 Comments

terry_barnes1mo ago

Barely visible crack" classic. That tiny line can turn into a big problem when you start poking at it. I always use a bright light and a magnifying glass on mounts now because this stuff hides too well.

tara7451mo ago

Funny you mention that terry_barnes, because I spent a good 20 minutes last week staring at a mount with a flashlight like it was a crime scene. Turns out the "crack" was just a scratch from my own tool. Classic me, right? But yeah, that tiny line that looks like nothing can split open the whole thing if you start prying wrong. Learned that the hard way on a specimen I really wanted to keep intact. Magnifier and bright light are non-negotiable now, just like you said.