Service difficulty report · Wire · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
May 9, 2005
Submitted
June 28, 2005
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N151LL
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft serial
317852025
Part
Wire
Condition
Shorted
Location
Rt Wing
Stage of operation
TO
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
A
Precautionary procedure
C

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

What was found

RT WING EXPLODED ON TAKEOFF ROLL DUE TO IGNITED FUEL VAPORS TRAPPED IN EMPTY WING CAVITY OR OF FUEL CELLS. INSP REVEALED; RT MAIN FUEL CELL VENT NIPPLE WAS BROKEN OFF, VERY BRITTLE AND DETERIORATED, ALLOWING FUEL VAPORS TO ACCUMULATE IN THIS CAVITY. PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED COLEMILL WINGTIP AND LANDING LIGHT MODIFICATION WAS PERFORMED, ROUTING ITS 28 VOLT POWER WIRE FROM ROOT TIP FOLLOWING AFT STRINGER, PASSING THRU RIBS VIA STRINGER CUTOUTS WITH NO PROTECTION. THIS WIRE WAS FOUND TO BE SHORTED AND BURNED OFF WITH EVIDENCE OF EXCESS ARCHING AT WING STA 148, BREAKER WAS POPPED CAUSING IGNITION OF ABOVE FUEL VAPORS. INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED, PROPER FUEL CELL INSP AND ROUTING WIRES PROPERLY IAW ADV CIR.

More about the Piper PA-31-350