Service difficulty report · Cover · Piper PA28R201T

Difficulty date
June 14, 2010
Submitted
September 9, 2010
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N47629
Make and model
Piper PA28R201T
Aircraft serial
28R7703412
Aircraft time
3,062 hours
Engine
Cont TSIO360*
Part
Cover
Part number
8747702
Condition
Bent
Location
Fuel Strainer
Part time
3,062 hours
Component
Gascolator
Component part number
3571503
Stage of operation
CL
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
Y
Precautionary procedure
A

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

What was found

DURING THE CLIMB OUT, AT APPROX 4200 AGL, ONE SIDE OF THE WIRE BAIL ON THE FIREWALL MOUNTED GASCOLATOR CAME OUT OF THE FUEL STRAINER COVER. THIS ALLOWED ENGINE DRIVEN PUMP TO SUCK AIR INTO THE SYS WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE TO THE POINT THE ENGINE FLOW DIVIDER SHUT DOWN THE FUEL FLOW TO THE INJECTORS. ACFT WAS TOTALED DURING THE OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN A CORN FIELD. POST ACCIDENT INSP REVEALED FUEL STRAINER COVER WAS DISTORTED FROM OVER TORQUING THE RETAINING NUT. THE MM DOES NOT SPECIFY A TIGHTENING PROCEDURE OR TORQUE VALUE. THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM HAS BEEN FOUND ON NUMEROUS OTHER ACFT IN THE PAST. MANY MECHANICS SAFETY WIRE BAIL TO PREVENT THIS FROM OCCURING EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT CONTAINED IN THE MM.

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