Service difficulty report · Bungee · Piper PA28140

Difficulty date
October 18, 2007
Submitted
October 31, 2007
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N56978
Make and model
Piper PA28140
Aircraft serial
287425077
Engine
Lyc O320*
Part
Bungee
Part number
3526202
Condition
Failed
Location
Nlg Steering
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

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AIRCRAFT WENT INTO SHARP RT TURN. THE PILOT, BY USING FULL OPPOSITE RUDDER AND AVAILABLE RUDDER TRIM, WAS ABLE TO LAND AIRCRAFT SUCCESSFULLY. INSPECTION DETERMINED THAT THE RT NOSE GEAR STEERING BUNGEE SPRING RETAINER HAD DEPARTED AND THE SPRING WAS EXTENDED FROM THE BARREL ASSY. THE TURN WAS ALSO EXAGGERATED BY THE LARGE FIN USED ON THE NOSE WHEEL FAIRING. AS IT IS DIFFICULT TO EXAMINE THE RETAINER DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE BUNGEE ASSY UNDER THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, IT CAN NOT BE DETERMINED IF THE BACK SIDE OF THE RETAINER IS BEING WORN OR CORRODED. THIS PART IS ONLY HELD IN PLACE BY A FEW TWISTS OF SAFETY WIRE. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE MFG LOOK AT THIS AS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND EITHER RETROFIT A BETTER RETAINER OR ADD AN ADDITIONAL RETAINER IN CASE OF FAILURE OF THE ORIGINAL PART. (K)

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