Analyzed modified step mount to determine how to make it less flexible. Welded doubler on lower half of the step support to stiffen it and prevent bending. Added piece of 4130 steel 1/8" thick between the step support and the 3/4" OD tube that passes under the fuselage to tie the step support to that tube. That keeps the step support from bending the step mounting plate out at the top when stepping on the step. Some more strengthening needed to keep fuselage sides from deforming.
