Service difficulty report · Strut · Piper PA17

Difficulty date
February 26, 2006
Submitted
August 29, 2006
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N4879H
Make and model
Piper PA17
Aircraft serial
17178
Engine
Cont A65*
Part
Strut
Part number
1180500
Condition
Damaged
Location
Landing Gear
Part time
725 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

WHEN CHANGING SHOCK CORDS ON THIS AC, NOTICED A DISCOLORATION OF THE INNER STRUT TUBE (LONGER ONE, SUB PN 1180400) AND REMOVED IT FROM THE OUTER TUBE (SHORTER, SUB PN 1180300) ONE OF THE INNER STRUT TUBES WAS CORRODED APPROX 50 PERCENT OF CIRCUMFERENCE. THE OTHER INNER STRUT HAD MULTIPLE CORROSION HOLES THROUGH ALL THE METAL. BOTH SHORT TUBES (OUTER) SHOWED OVAL ELONGATION AT THE ENDS INDICATING FLEXING/BENDING OF THE ASSY DURING LANDINGS AND TAKEOFF. RELATIVELY NEW (HOURS) BUNGEES KEPT THIS GEAR FROM FINAL FAILURE AND RESULTANT GROUND LOOP. THE BUNGEE CORDS, WHEN INSTALLED, COVER THIS AREA AND ALSO USUALLY HAVE A CLOTH OR ALUMINUM FAIRING OVER THEM. DETECTION OF THIS REQUIRES REMOVAL OF THE FAIRINGS AT A

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