Service difficulty report · Bolt · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
August 25, 2006
Submitted
October 11, 2006
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N4093W
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft serial
318152176
Engine
Lyc TIO540*
Part
Bolt
Part number
ANG17
Condition
Broken
Location
Mlg
Part time
24,842 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

AIRCRAFT HAD GEAR UNSAFE LIGHT AND NO LT DOWN AND LOCKED INDICATION LIGHT, AS WELL. THE GEAR HANDLE WOULD NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL POSITION. AIRCRAFT LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. WE BELIEVE THAT THE UPPER BOLT THAT RETAINS THE MAIN GEAR RETRACTION ARM BROKE DUE TO FATIGUE. THIS ALLOWED THE MAIN GEAR ACTUATOR TO BIND ON THE UPPER SECTION OF THE DRAG LEG AND BROKE THE MAIN GEAR ACTUATOR BALL END OUT OF THE MAIN SHAFT OF THE ACTUATOR. THERE IS SL NR 1092, DATED JUNE 15TH, 2005 THAT REQUIRES THE MAIN GEAR RETRACTION ARMS, PN 42042000 OR 42042002 TO BE INSPECTED USING A 10X MAGNIFYING GLASS AND LIQUID PENETRANT INSPECTION AFTER REACHING 1500 HOURS TIME IN SERVICE AND THERE AFTER AT EACH 250 HOURS UNTIL THAT PART REACH

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