Service difficulty report · Bolt · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
May 10, 2004
Submitted
July 14, 2004
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N615SN
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft serial
318052094
Engine
Lyc TIO540J2BD
System (JASC)
1430 · Fasteners
Part
Bolt
Part number
AN546
Condition
Corroded
Location
Downlock Switch
Part time
3,334 hours
Stage of operation
NR
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY WHEN HE HAD A GEAR UNSAFE LIGHT AFTER THE GEAR EXTENDED. (AC EVENTUALLY LANDED SAFELY). GEAR DOWNLOCK DID NOT GO ALL THE WAY TO THE LOCK POSITION AND ACTIVATE THE SWITCH. (DOWNLOCK WAS FOUND CORRODED TO THE BOLT) MM , PUT A FEW DROPS OF OIL ON THE BOLT AT ANNUAL/100 HOUR. THE PROBLEM IS THE OIL DOES NOT WICK INTO THE AREA WHERE IT PIVOTS. ALSO, HOT ENGINE EXHAUST BLOWING ACROSS THE BOLT EVENTUALLY NEGATES ANY LUBRICATION ACTION. RECOMMEND BOLT, GET CHANGED PERIODICALLY AND PUT NEVER SEIZE ON THE BOLT WHEN INSTALLING. IF NOTHING ELSE, THE (NEVER SEIZE) WOULD KEEP THINGS MOVING!

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