A line mechanic reported finding two separate B737 aircraft with broken attach points at the left in...

Narrative:

During an a-check on a B737-400; the left-hand (lh) inboard (I/B) ground spoiler was found to have a broken attach point [hinge assembly]. [Approximately six weeks later]; during an a-check on another B737-400; the lh I/B ground spoiler was found to have a broken attach point. These are visible from the top side only; and were found when going on the wing to check the engine pylon panel screws as required by a jobcard. They are very visible; they show as a piece missing over the spoiler hinge. Both occurrences required a spoiler board; with a subsequent flight delay/cancellation. [Could; possible] cause is age/stress cracking? Removed and replaced the discrepant spoiler. Suggest an engineering order (eo) be issued to inspect these attach points. A spoiler board departing the aircraft would not have good results. Also suggest someone check with boeing to see if other carriers are finding these broken; and what their remedy might be.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Line Mechanic reported finding two separate B737 aircraft with broken attach points at the left Inboard Ground Spoiler hinge position. The Mechanic noted the missing section of spoiler hinge is very visible; but only from the top side of the wing.

Narrative: During an A-Check on a B737-400; the Left-hand (LH) Inboard (I/B) Ground Spoiler was found to have a broken attach point [hinge assembly]. [Approximately six weeks later]; during an A-Check on another B737-400; the LH I/B Ground Spoiler was found to have a broken attach point. These are visible from the top side only; and were found when going on the wing to check the engine pylon panel screws as required by a jobcard. They are very visible; they show as a piece missing over the spoiler hinge. Both occurrences required a spoiler board; with a subsequent flight delay/cancellation. [Could; possible] cause is age/stress cracking? Removed and replaced the discrepant spoiler. Suggest an Engineering Order (EO) be issued to inspect these attach points. A spoiler board departing the aircraft would not have good results. Also suggest someone check with Boeing to see if other carriers are finding these broken; and what their remedy might be.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	955827
Time
Date	201106
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737-400
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Parked
Component
Aircraft Component	Ground Spoiler
Person 1
Function	Technician
Qualification	Maintenance Airframe Maintenance Powerplant
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

A line mechanic reported finding two separate B737 aircraft with broken attach points at the left inboard ground spoiler hinge position. The mechanic noted the missing section of spoiler hinge is very visible; but only from the top side of the wing.