Service difficulty report · Fuel Cell · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
May 20, 2009
Submitted
June 3, 2009
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N6GR
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft serial
317752130
Part
Fuel Cell
Part number
5712
Part serial
CR564
Condition
Failed
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

A FUEL CELL SEAM FAILED WHILE ACFT WAS PARKED ON THE RAMP EMPTYING THE CONTENTS SUDDENLY. THERE WERE NO PRIOR INDICATIONS OF A PREFAILURE SUCH AS LEAKS NOTED. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF IMPROPER INSTALLATION OR OTHER DAMAGE. THE BULK OF THE FUEL FOLLOWED THE MAIN SPAR INTO THE BELLY OF THE ACFT THEN OUT THROUGH DRAIN HOLES, VENTS, AND SEAMS IN THE SKIN. (K)

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