Service difficulty report · Connector · Piper PA28181

Difficulty date
July 28, 2023
Submitted
August 25, 2023
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N291WC
Make and model
Piper PA28181
Aircraft serial
28020052
Aircraft time
657 hours
Engine
Lyc IO360B4A
Engine time
657 hours
Part
Connector
Part number
UNKNOWN
Condition
Broken
Location
Unknown
Part time
657 hours
Stage of operation
CR
How discovered
C
Nature of condition
H, J
Precautionary procedure
H

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

What was found

RECEIVED ALTERNATOR FAILURE ANNUNCIATION ACCOMPANIED BY NO ALTERNATOR AMPS AND SMELL OF BURNING ELECTRICAL WHILE ENROUTE CRUISE. ALTERNATOR WAS DEACTIVATED. CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS THE RING TERMINAL CONNECTOR TO ALTERNATOR HAD BROKEN. ARCING BURNED INSULATION AND CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ALTERNATOR WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. RING TERMINAL DID NOT SEEM TO BE AS HEAVY AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

More about the Piper PA-28-181