Service difficulty report · Strut · Piper PA44180

Difficulty date
November 7, 2014
Submitted
November 7, 2014
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N171CA
Make and model
Piper PA44180
Aircraft serial
4496131
Aircraft time
1,468 hours
Part
Strut
Part number
6703704
Condition
Sheared
Location
Left
Part time
1,468 hours
Stage of operation
TO
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
C

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

What was found

THE LT MAIN STRUT FAILED DURING TAKEOFF ROLL RESULTING IN THE GEAR COLLAPSING. ON INSPECTION OF THE FAILED STRUT, THERE APPEARED TO BE AN EXISTING CRACK PRIOR TO THE FAILURE STARTING FROM THE BOLT HOLE THAT ATTACHES THE STRUT TO THE WHEEL HOUSING. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THIS ACFT IS USED FOR FLIGHT TRAINING AND PROBABLY HAS EXPERIENCED HARD LANDINGS ON MANY OCCASIONS.

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