Service difficulty report · Switch · Beech 58

Difficulty date
March 9, 2011
Submitted
March 9, 2011
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N2331H
Make and model
Beech 58
Aircraft serial
TH1859
Aircraft time
8,059 hours
Engine
Cont IO550C
Part
Switch
Part number
35380132105
Condition
Burned
Location
Taxi Light
Stage of operation
DE
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
B
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

PILOT REPORTED A BURNING SMELL IN THE CABIN. AN INSP REVEALED THE TAXI LIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKER SWITCH TO HAVE AN UNUSUAL FEEL. FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT OF THE SWITCH, THE FAILED SWITCH WAS DISASSEMBLED AND FOUND TO HAVE BURNED INTERNAL COMPONENTS. THIS SWITCH, PN 35-380132-105, IS THE IMPROVED MODEL THAT WAS REQUIRED BY AD 2008-13-07 WHICH WAS MODIFIED TO PREVENT THE BURNING SITUATION IN THE FAILURE MODE. THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY INSTALLING 2 INSULATOR PADS AT THE ACTUATOR SPRING TO PREVENT CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE SPRING WHEN THE WIRE BRAID FAILS. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN THESE SWITCHES OVERHEAT, IT IS DIFFICULT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE IF THE INSULATORS HAD BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY OR INSTALLED AT ALL. THIS IS THE SECOND POST AD SWITCH IN OUR FLEET THAT HAS FAILED AND OVERHEATED.

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