Primary finding
Probable cause
The damage to the engine firewall for a reason that was undetermined because the damage was not reported when it occurred.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During a preflight examination of the airplane, damage to the engine firewall was observed. It was undetermined when and how the damage occurred. Review of flight logs provided by the operator revealed that the airplane had been flown 13 hours since the most recent maintenance was performed. The operator stated that there were no reported hard landings since that maintenance.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 6, 2012, during a pre-flight examination of a Cessna 182R, N73466, at the Hilo International Airport, Hilo, Hawaii, substantial damage to the engine firewall was discovered. The airplane was registered to and operated by Civil Air Patrol, Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. There were no reported injuries. The flight date and time which resulted in the damage to the airplane was undetermined. Review of a flight log submitted by the operator revealed that six flights, totaling 13 hours of flight time had occurred since the airplane had undergone maintenance on May, 29, 2012. It was not determined how the damage occurred to the firewall. The operator reported that there were no reported hard landings during this timeframe.