Cessna 172 Maintenance Manual page 102

1. Horizontal Stabilizer
A. The horizontal stabilizer is constructed from spars, ribs, stringers, doublers and skins. Refer to
applicable Maintenance Manual, Chapter 6, Dimensions and Areas, for horizontal stabilizer station
diagram.
2. Negligible Damage
A. The same criteria which is used to define "negligible damage" to the fuselage may be applied to the
horizontal stabilizer. Refer to Chapter 53, Fuselage Damage Classification for a complete description
of negligible damage.
3. Repairable Damage
A. Skin patches may be used to repair skin damage. These patches are illustrated in Chapter 51, Typical
Skin Repairs, Figure 801. For skin damage which includes corrugations, Refer to Chapter 51, Typical
Skin Repairs, Figure 802.
B. Access to the internal stabilizer structure may be gained by removing a portion of the rivets along the
rear spar and ribs and springing back the skin. By using the proper bucking bars through holes in
spar web, skins may by closed with a minimum of blind rivets.
4. Replacement Damage
A. If the damaged area would require a repair which could not be made between adjacent ribs, or the
repair would be located in an area with compound curves, compete skin panels must be replaced.
Ribs and spars may be repaired, but replacement is generally preferable. Where damage is extensive,
replacement of the entire assembly is recommended.
CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY
SINGLE ENGINE
STRUCTURAL REPAIR MANUAL
HORIZONTAL STABILIZER
© Cessna Aircraft Company
55-10-00
Page 801
Jun 1/2005