On a recently inspected RV-6 there were multiple holes drilled into the forward elevator spars near each rod end bearing. The rod end bearings are used as the attach points for connecting the elevators to the horizontal stabilizer. Not only were there two extra sets of holes surrounding each of the rod ends, each jam nut was very loose, including one that took a full turn to tighten. This is a very high stress area prone to cracking, and Van’s Aircraft has even issued a service bulletin pertaining to this area.
—Vic Syracuse
