The time I tried to use a zip tie on a loose wire bundle

I was finishing up a panel install on a Cessna 172 last week and had a small wire bundle that kept slipping. I thought, 'I'll just secure it with a heavy duty zip tie for now.' I cinched it down tight. Came back the next morning and the zip tie had completely cracked and split in half from the cold overnight in the hangar. Learned that aircraft-grade cable ties are a real thing for a reason. Anyone have a favorite brand for those little jobs?

3 comments

3 Comments

amyc221mo ago

Wait, you used a regular zip tie on an airplane? That's... wow. I mean, the temperature swings alone would wreck most hardware store stuff. I get the quick fix idea, but man, that could've been so much worse if it failed in flight. I stick with Panduit or Thomas & Betts for any little wire job now, even in the shop. The good ones just feel different, way more flexible in the cold.

charlesj461mo ago

Yeah, because nothing says "airworthy" like a 99 cent bag of zip ties from the hardware store bin. I'm picturing someone up there with a pair of scissors, just going for it mid-turbulence. At least use the black ones, they look more serious.

the_vera19d ago

Honestly, "look more serious" is killing me. Like the plane checks the color before it decides to fall apart. Tbh that zip tie just noped out of the whole job.