Pitcairn PA-18

Service difficulty reports · 28

Newest first. General aviation reporting is voluntary.

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT sdr_id, difficulty_date, n_number, aircraft_make, aircraft_model, part_name, part_condition, jasc_code, discrepancy
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_service_difficulty_report.parquet'
  WHERE aircraft_model_key = 'PA18'
  ORDER BY difficulty_date DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

SDR 2026FA0000476Strut · fracturedPIPER PA-18 EXPERIENCED RIGHT HAND LANDING GEAR COLLAPSE AFTER LANDING ROLLOUT CAUSING DAMAGE TO MAIN LANDING GEAR AND RIGHT WING ASSEMBLY. DETAIL INSPECTION FOUND 2 EACH FRACTURES ON RIGHT HAND LANDING GEAR ASSEMBLY. RIGHT SHOCK STRUT HYDRASORB (PN 487 558) FMar 3, 2026 · N1532V · Piper PA18 · Main Landing Gear Strut/Axle/TruckSDR 2022FA0000361Oil Cooler · crackedORIGINAL OIL COOLER REPLACED 05/27/2022 DUE TO CRACKED MOUNTING FLANGES. NEW COOLER, S/N 4467 , FAILED AFTER 12 HOURS IN SERVICE, CRACKED ADJACENT TO TOP FITTING BOSS, RESULTING IN 5+ QUART OIL LOSS DURING FLIGHT, AND EMERGENCY LANDING. INSTALLED REPLACEMENTJul 20, 2022 · Piper PA18 · Engine Oil CoolerSDR 2017FA0000414Fuel Bowl · damagedTHE FUEL STRAINER COVER DEVELOPS A BOW AFTER A YEAR OF CONTINUOUS PRESSURE BEING PUT ON IT FROM THE WIRE ASSEMBLY CAUSING IT TO LEAK FUEL. IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT REPLACING THE GASKET DOES NOT CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS WE HAVE FOUND THREE Aug 10, 2017 · N9033J · Piper PA18 · Aircraft Fuel Filter/StrainerSDR 2016FA0000498Piston Ring · out of alignmentDURING TAKE OFF, WITH GLIDER IN TOW, AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED AN UNCOMMANDED ENGINE SHUT DOWN. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE NR 3 PISTON RINGS WERE NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY.Oct 12, 2016 · N6984B · Piper PA18 · Reciprocating Engine Power SectionSDR CA150527009Carburetor · defective(CAN) AIRCRAFT TOOK OFF FOR ONE OF THE INITIAL FLIGHTS WITH THE NEWLY OVERHAULED FACTORY ENG. THE ACFT IS A PA22-160 BUSHMASTER & IS EQUIPPED WITH FLOATS. THE FLIGHT WAS ABOUT AN HOUR & HAD JUST DONE A TOUCH & GO ON THE WATER. THEY WERE TURNING BACK AROUND May 14, 2015 · Piper PA18 · Fuel Control/Reciprocating EnginesSDR 2011FA0000280Retainer · broken37 HOURS SINCE THE ENGINE WAS LAST REASSEMBLED, THE VALVE COVERS WERE REMOVED. BROKEN PUSH ROD RETAINER SPRINGS WERE FOUND IN 3 OUT OF 4 CYLINDERS. 1 BROKEN STEEL SPRING PIECE HAD BEEN BENT BY THE ROCKET ARM AND HAD SIGNIFICANTLY DENTED THE VALVE COVER NEARLYApr 30, 2011 · N18SY · Piper PA18 · Engine (Reciprocating)SDR 22497Retainer · brokenENGINE WAS DISASSEMBLED AND INSPECTED FOR PROP STRIKE INSPECTION. DURING TEST CELL OPERATION THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED AN OIL LEAK AT THE NR4 CYLINDER. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE PUSH ROD TUBE RETAINER BROKE INSIDE THE ROCKER COVER CAUSING THE TUBE ANJan 31, 2008 · N8780D · Piper PA18 · Reciprocating Engine Cylinder SectionSDR 2008FA0000105Fitting · brokenPILOT STATED THAT HE PERFORMED AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING ALONG A BEACH WHILE HUNTING. UPON LANDING, THE UPPER RT MLG CABANE FITTING BROKE. THE LANDING GEAR SAFETY CABLES PREVENTED A TOTAL GEAR COLLAPSE. (K)Dec 4, 2007 · N723C · Piper PA18 · Main Landing Gear Strut/Axle/TruckSDR 2006FA0000980Rotor · inoperativePILOT NOTICED LACK OF POWER AND ROUGHNESS AFTER TAKEOFF. RETURNED TO FIELD, DISCOVERED INOPERATIVE RT MAGNETO. DISASSEMBLY OF RT MAGNETO REVEALED ROTOR SHAFT HAD SHEARED FLUSH WITH BOTTOM OF CAM CUTOUT. THE REMAINING ROTOR AND DISTRIBUTOR BOTH ROTATED FREELSep 29, 2006 · N7472D · Piper PA18 · Magneto/DistributorSDR 2006FA0000532Current Limiter · failedCURRENT LIMITER BLOWN, CAUSING LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER.May 21, 2006 · N203T · Piper PA18 · DC RegulatorSDR CA051221002Attach Bracket · corrodedREINFORCEMENT STRAP AT REAR SPREADER BAR ATTACHMENT LUG; INTERGRANULAR CORROSION DESTROYED PART FROM INSIDE OUT RESULTING IN LOOSE FASTENER.Dec 8, 2005 · Piper PA18 · Wing, Attach FittingsSDR CA050805003Baffle · warped(CAN) EXCESSIVE EXHAUST BACK PRESSURE - MUFFLER 2 INCH STACK HOLE IN CAN 1.5 INCH DIAMETER LEFT A HIGH RESTRICTION CAUSING HIGH HEAT PROGRESSIVELY COLLAPSING THE PERFORATED BAFFLE AROUND THE EMERGECY BAIL RESULTING IN A SERIOUS LOSS OF POWER.Aug 3, 2005 · Piper PA18 · Engine Noise SuppressorSDR 2004FA0000364Fuel Control · mismarkedAS MANUFACTURED, THE FUEL VALVE SELECTOR HANDLE CONSISTS OF A SMALL POINTER AND A SILVER HANDLE OPPOSITE OF EACH OTHER ON THE LT INTERIOR WALL BY THE FRONT SEAT. OPPOSITE BOTH FUEL VALVE SELECTIONS OF (LT) AND (RT) IS AN (OFF) POSITION. THE POINTER IS OFTEN Mar 15, 2004 · Piper PA18 · Fuel Controlling SystemSDR TAM1112200301Plate · failedSPINNER BACKPLATE BRACKETS SEEM TO FAIL OFTEN, PICTURE NR 1. THIS PARTICULAR BACKPLATE APPEARS VERY NEW, THE AIRCRAFT HAS FLOWN 35 HOURS SINCE ANNUAL INSPECTION. PICTURE NR 2 SHOWS HOW THE PROPELLER HITS THE BRACKET LEG AND PUSHES THE SPINNER BACKPLATE AFT, Oct 31, 2003 · Piper PA18 · Propeller Spinner SectionSDR 2003FA0000940Bearing · overheatedALTERNATOR HARD TO ROTATE DUE TO NON-DRIVE END BEARING BEING PRESSED INTO HOUSING TOO FAR. BEARING COVER FOUND (BLUED) DUE TOO EXCCESIVE HEAT. DRIVE PULLEY HARD TO ROTATE BY HAND. NOTE: 0 TIME SINCE OVERHAUL!Sep 18, 2003 · Piper PA18 · DC Generator-AlternatorSDR CA030107011Structure · cracked(CAN) LT STABILIZER REAR TUBE WAS FOUND CRACKED INBOARD OF THE OUTBOARD ELEVATOR HINGE.Aug 1, 2002 · Piper PA18 · Elevator StructureSDR 2001FA0000558Stud · brokenBROKEN CYLINDER BASE STUDS, 5 STUDS BROKEN ON NR 1 CYLINDER, FOUND MIS-TORQUED ON NR 2, NR 3, AND NR 4, ALSO.(K)Oct 26, 2001 · N7278K · Piper PA18 · Reciprocating Engine Power SectionSDR CA010820014Screw · broken(CAN) STABILIZER TRIM FOUND NOT WORKING ON PILOT'S WALK AROUND. DISASSEMBLE AND FOUND SCREW BROKEN IN HALF, JAMMED IN THE YOKE HOUSING.Jul 27, 2001 · Piper PA18 · Stabilizer Control SystemSDR 20010124CW004Bellcrank · crackedWHILE COMPLETELY DISASSEMBLING FOR RECOVERY, FOUND BOTH BELLCRANKS CRACKED. ONLY WAY TO SEE IS WITH MIRROR OR COMPLETE DISSASSEMBLE. BOTTOM OF BELLCRANK NOT CRACKED.Dec 19, 2000 · N9780D · Piper PA18 · Trailing Edge Flap Control SystemSDR 20000911SH041Gear · fracturedAIRCRAFT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING FOLLOWING SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. UPON INSPECTION, THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR HAD 5 OR 6 TEETH MISSING AND THE REMAINING TEETH WERE ROUNDED AND EXHIBITED GALLING-LIKE DAMAGE SIMILAR TO THAT FOUND ON THE MAGNETO Aug 28, 2000 · N3357A · Piper PA18 · Reciprocating Engine Rear SectionSDR 2000ZZZX500Channel · corrodedDURING RECOVERING OF AIRCRAFT, FOUND THE REAR WINDOW CHANNELS LEFT AND RIGHT WERE CORRODED BEYOND REPAIR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.Jan 17, 2000 · Piper PA18 · Fuselage Miscellaneous StructureSDR 2000ZZZX498Longeron · corrodedDURING LAST 6 AIRCRAFT RECOVERED BY FACILITY, 5 OF THESE AIRCRAFT HAD TO HAVE THE TOP LONGERON REPLACED BECAUSE OF CORROSION DUE TO WATER BEING TRAPPED UNDER THE SLIDING WINDOW CHANNEL ON THE LEFT SIDE. IN ALL CASES, THE SLIDING CHANNELS IN LONGERON AREA WEREJan 17, 2000 · Piper PA18 · Fuselage Main, Longeron/StringerSDR 98ZZZX3125Fitting · corrodedWING FITTING CORRODED. THERE IS NO ACCESS FOR INSPECTION OF PART. AFTER ONE AIRCRAFT HAD WING SEPARATION AND DISCOVERED PART THAT CORRODED, INSPECTED ENTIRE FLEET OF 10 SUPER CUBS AND FOUND CONDITION ON 2 AIRCRAFT (THIS BEING ONE OF THEM). ALL FOUND TO BE FAug 17, 1998 · N3977P · Piper PA18 · Wing, Fuselage Attach FittingsSDR 98ZZZX1993Control Cable · failedCARBURETOR HEAT CABLE COULD HAVE POSSIBLY CONTRIBUTED TO ACCIDENT. DURING INVESTIGATION, CABLE WAS FOUND DETACHED; APPARENTLY IT HAD BROKEN PRIOR TO OR AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT.Apr 26, 1998 · N225NY · Piper PA18 · Engine Air Intake SystemSDR 97ZZZX2785Bellcrank · crackedINSPECTION FOUND RT FLAP BELLCRANK CRACKED. REF: PIPER SB 109.May 1, 1997 · Piper PA18 · Trailing Edge Flap Control SystemSDR 97ZZZX2025Tube · corrodedFAA APPROVED REPAIR STATION, THAT REBUILDS AND REPAIRS PA-18 FUSELAGE FRAMES, HAS EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM, IN FINDING SEVERE CORROSION ON APPROX 35 PERCENT OF THE FUSELAGES IN WORK. ONE PROBLEM CENTERS ON THE .6250 INCH VERTICAL TUBE, P/N 10562-36, FROM THE TOPApr 22, 1997 · Piper PA18 · Fuselage Main, FrameSDR 95ZZZX6391Tank · leakTANK HAD SMALL LEAK AFT SEAM MID-WAY BETWEEN SIDES. FOUND SMALL CRACK, .50 INCH, WELDED SEAM FOR 4 INCHES EITHER SIDE OF CRACK. SUBMITTER STATED NO APPARENT REASON FOR CRACK.Oct 25, 1995 · Piper PA18 · Fuel StorageSDR 95ZZZX3523Fuel Tank · damagedTOP FORWARD INBOARD CORNER BASHED IN CAUSING A SEAM TO LEAK. ALSO, FOUND LARGE WELD AROUND VENT. THIS WAS CUT OUT AND A NEW VENT INSTALLED. PRESSURE TESTED AT 1 PSI - OK.Jun 19, 1995 · Piper PA18 · Fuel Storage
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