Service difficulty report · Shaft · Piper PA32R301T

Difficulty date
August 11, 2011
Submitted
August 11, 2011
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N455MA
Make and model
Piper PA32R301T
Aircraft serial
3257205
Aircraft time
704 hours
Part
Shaft
Part number
62716007
Condition
Broken
Location
Zone 200
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
W
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

DISCONNECTING YOKE SHAFT WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE U JOINT ASSY WHICH IS HELD BY 2 THROUGH BOLTS AT 90 DEGREES. IN THE PROCESS THE U JOINT BROKE OFF OF THE SHAFT, IF THIS HAD BROKEN IN FLIGHT, TAKEOFF OR LANDING, PILOT WOULD HAVE TIME TO REACT TO THE OTHER YOKE. IT BROKE AT THE TAPER PIN. ONE SIDE OF THE BREAK IS CRISP AND CLEAN INDICATING FRESH BREAK AND THE OTHER SIDE IS TARNISHED AN IDICATION THAT IT HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR SOME TIME. THE TAPER PIN DOES NOT LOOK LIKE IT HAS BEEN REMOVED SINCE MFG. THIS SHAFT NEEDS TO BE TESTED TO SEE IF IT HAS BEEN TEMPERED WRONG OR IF IT IS DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THERE IS A SB OUT ON THIS NR 1197 BUT IT IS FOR DETECTING IMPROPER ASSY OF THIS PART. BY THIS TEST, THIS ONE WAS ASSEMBLED PROPERLY.

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