Service difficulty report · Blade · Piper PA44180

Difficulty date
July 24, 2009
Submitted
July 24, 2009
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N573ER
Make and model
Piper PA44180
Aircraft serial
4496149
Aircraft time
5,639 hours
Propeller
Hartzl HCC2YR2
Part
Blade
Part number
HCC2YR2CEUF
Part serial
AU10929B
Condition
Cracked
Location
Lt Propeller
Part time
4,696 hours
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
W
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

DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION A NICK (SUSPECT ROCK OR RUNWAY DEBRIS)WAS FOUND IN THE FACE OF ONE BLADE ON THE LEFT PROP, 3.25" IN FROM THE TIP. AFTER MINOR DRESSING IT WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE THREE PITS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE NICK. THE THIRD PIT BACK FROM THE LEADING EDGE WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACK IN IT. THE CRACK WAS DISCOVERED FROM A DIGITAL PICTURE THAT WAS ENLARGED (PICTURES ATTACHED). EVEN WITH A SMALL MAGNIFYING GLASS AND A STRONG LIGHT THE CRACK DID NOT SHOW UP VERY WELL.

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