SDR 2019F00107

Service difficulty report · Fuel Line

Difficulty date
January 4, 2019
Submitted
January 10, 2019
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N498TM
Engine
Pwa JT15D5
Engine time
7,150 hours, 5,411 cycles
Part
Fuel Line
Part number
307204701
Condition
Defective
Location
Engine
Part time
7,150 hours, 5,411 cycles
Component
Engine · Pwc · JT15D5R
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
K
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

IN MAINTENANCE DURING ENGINE INSPECTION AND THE FUEL BOOST PUMP ON, A VERY TINY STREAM OF FUEL (ABOUT THE SIZE OF A FINE HAIR) WAS FOUND SPRAYING FROM THIS LINE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP. WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING THE LEAK IS VIRTUALLY UNNOTICEABLE. WITH LINE REMOVED AND UNDER A 10X MAGNIFYING GLASS THE PIN HOLE IS VISIBLE, ALSO NOTED WHAT LOOKS LIKE POSSIBLE TOOL MARKS NEARBY. SUSPECT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE.THIS IS THE FOURTH OCCURRENCE OF THIS P/N FUEL LINE WITH A PIN HOLE IN THE EXACT SAME LOCATION THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THIS SHOP RECENTLY. 4 DIFFERENT AIRCRAFT OF THE SAME MODEL, WITH THE SAME ENGINE MODEL.