EMMA KELLY / PERTH
Hawker Pacific expects to complete in August what it believes is the first replacement of sections of the main wing-rib assemblies on a Raytheon Beech 1900D.
The nine-year-old aircraft (UE-117), owned by National Airways of South Africa and formerly operated by Australia's Impulse Airlines, suffered wing corrosion wing, believed to have been caused by fire extinguishant or chemical residue after an engine fire, says Duncan Watson, manager of Hawker Pacific's Sydney Bankstown maintenance base.
Although wings have been removed from Beech 1900s before, Hawker Pacific says the scope of the work it is conducting is unique, including replacing the wing skins and ribs. About 4,000 man-hours have already been spent on the aircraft, which will also undergo major maintenance checks.
Hawker Pacific hopes the experience will result in similar work on other Beech 1900s. A service bulletin last year advised the addition of drainage holes in the wing.
Source: Flight International
