Service difficulty report · Shutoff Valve · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
August 13, 2012
Submitted
November 30, 2012
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N600AB
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft serial
317405445
Part
Shutoff Valve
Part number
P23D0475
Condition
Failed
Location
Heater
Part time
25 hours
Component
Heater
Component part number
B3500
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
K
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

OVER THE LAST 11 MONTHS WE HAVE HAD THIS PART FAIL BY CAUSING SIGNIFICANT FUEL LEAKS. THE FIRST PART WAS FACTORY NEW AND FAILED WITH ONLY 56 HRS OF AIRFRAME TIME. SECOND PART WAS O/H BY MFG AND FAILED WITH 25 HRS ON IT. IT WAS DURING THE LAST FAILURE THAT THE SAFETY OF FLIGHT WAS AFFECTED. WHEN THE FUEL SHUTOFF VALVE FAILED THE FUEL LEAK WAS SO LARGE THE RT ENGINE FUEL PRESSURE DROPPED FROM THE NORMAL 37 PSI TO 10 PSI.

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