Brief Description: Found Problem with Cross-Bracket under Aft Top Dec
I checked the size and position of hole in front of the elevator bellcrank, per Dwg 26. Verified HS is level left-to-right. I also verified that the HS has zero incidence by checking fore and aft tooling holes in root ribs are the same distance up from aft deck. I measured and drilled a pilot hole in the right side of the HS forward spar for the bolt holes. I used the angle drill to drill a #40 hole thru the HS spar angle, top deck, and longeron. I found that the drill missed the cross-bracket under the longeron completely. After further inspection, I found that the cross-bracket did not come close to where it should lie under the longeron. There was a gap of more than 1/4'' in one area.
The problem I found means that the bolts attaching the HS to the fuselage will not go thru the cross-bracket. This would result in a weakened HS. I sent an email to Van's re this. Also talked with Dave Ross. His suggestion is to replace the offending bracket.
Right Side of Cross-Bracket
Close-up-Cross-Bracket
Left Side of Cross-Bracket that does not nest into Longeron
