Service difficulty report · Spar · Piper PA44180

Difficulty date
September 20, 2011
Submitted
September 20, 2011
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N4316U
Make and model
Piper PA44180
Aircraft serial
4496119
Aircraft time
3,519 hours
System (JASC)
5711 · Wing Spar
Part
Spar
Part number
86152000
Condition
Corroded
Location
Zone 500
Part time
3,519 hours
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

AT APPROX LT WING STA 56.0, THE UPPER OTBD QUADRANT OF AN ELECTRICAL WIRE PASS THROUGH HOLE IN THE WING SPAR WEB WAS FOUND TO HAVE EXFOLIATION CORROSION. THE PASS THROUGH HOLE, WHICH IS IN THE LANDING GEAR WHEEL WELL AREA, HAD A CATERPILLAR GROMMET INSTALLED TO PREVENT THE WIRES FROM CHAFING. THE GROMMET WAS REMOVED TO FACILITATE CORROSION DETECTION. AFTER REMOVING THE CORROSION, THE SERVICES OF A DESIGNATED ENGINEERING REPRESENTATIVE WAS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A REPAIR PROCEDURE IN ORDER TO RETURN THE ACFT TO SERVICE. THE CORROSION STARTED AT THE EDGE OF THE HOLE AND PROGRESSED INSIDE THE METAL.

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