Service difficulty report · Spring · Piper PA20

Difficulty date
April 14, 2003
Submitted
May 14, 2003
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N4948M
Make and model
Piper PA20
Aircraft serial
20639
Engine
Lyc O360*
Part
Spring
Part number
6010532
Condition
Failed
Location
Rudder Return
Part time
903 hours
Stage of operation
TX
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
D

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

DURING TAXI TO POSITION FOR TAKEOFF, THE RIGHT RUDDER RETURN SPRING FAILED AT THE ATTACHMENT HOOK TO THE CABLE BELLCRACK. THE PILOT HEARD A NOISE BUT DID NOT REALIZE THE SPRING HAD FAILED UNTIL LATE IN THE ROLLOUT. THE FLIGHT CYCLE WAS COMPLETED WITHOUT EVENT. ABOVE NORMAL RIGHT RUDDER PRESSURE WAS REQUIRED TO CORRECT YAW. PART FAILURE APPEARS TO BE THE RESULT OF FATIGUE.

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