SDR 2013F00118

Service difficulty report · Fork · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
May 20, 2013
Submitted
May 24, 2013
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N200SJ
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft serial
318152054
Engine
Lyc TIO540J2BD
Propeller
Hartzl HCE3YR2A
Part
Fork
Part number
41789000
Condition
Broken
Location
Mlg
Part time
12,861 hours
Stage of operation
UK
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

PN 41789-000, FORK, ATTACHES THE ACTUATOR TO THE MAIN GEAR RETRACTION ARM AND DOWNLOCK CABLE. IT FAILED DURING A CYCLE WITH NO PREWARNING OF ANY KIND. WE ARE ALWAYS DOING A WEEKLY CLEANING AND INSPECTION OF THE LANDING GEAR. THE ONLY WAY TO FIND THIS POINT OF FAILURE IS TO REMOVE THE FORK AND MAGNIFY THE SHAFT. THIS FORK IS THE PART THAT RECEIVES THE MOST STRESS DURING OPERATION.

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