Service difficulty report · Access Panel · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
September 15, 2012
Submitted
September 16, 2012
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N31NW
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft serial
318152139
Aircraft time
15,704 hours
Engine
Lyc TIO540*
Part
Access Panel
Condition
Corroded
Location
Lt Wing
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
E
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 AN ANNUAL INSPECTION, FOUND THAT THE ACCESS PANELS THAT COVER THE ACFT FUEL BOWLS, FUEL SELECTOR VALVES, AND ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMPS HAVE CHAFED INTO THE WING SPAR REINFORCEMENT PLATES AND CAUSED FRETTING CORROSION. HAD A LEVEL 3 NDT TECH PERFORM A EDDY-CURRENT INSPECTION ON THESE AREA'S AND REPORTED PITTING CORROSION AND FATIGUE CRACKING ON THE RT LOWER SURFACE OF THE WING SPAR REINFORCEMENT PLATE IN EXCESS OF 0.020, AND THE LT WING SPAR REINFORCEMENT PLATE WITH PITTING CORROSION IN EXCESS OF 0.010.

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