# SDR 2026FA0000186

- Type: Service difficulty report (as reported; unverified)
- Difficulty date: March 11, 2026
- Submitted: March 13, 2026
- Operation: General aviation
- Aircraft: [N8024Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8024Q), registered now
- Make and model: Piper PA-44-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (OpenAirDocs)
- Aircraft serial: 4496519
- Aircraft time: 3,873 hours
- Engine: Lyc IO360B1B
- Engine time: 3,873 hours
- System (JASC): [7714 · Engine RPM Indicating System](https://openairdocs.org/jasc/7714)
- Part: Quick Disconnect
- Condition: Defective
- Location: Lt Tach
- Stage of operation: CR
- How discovered: O
- Nature of condition: N
- Precautionary procedure: E, A
- FAA source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System (https://sdrs.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/sdr/2026FA0000186

## Discrepancy

WHILE IN FLIGHT THE LEFT ENGINE RPM READING BECAME ERRATIC, GOING FROM NORMAL TO PAST RED LINE QUICKLY BACK AND FORTH. PIC PRECAUTIONARY SHUT DOWN ENGINE AND RETURNED TO HOME FIELD. AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING IT WAS FOUND THE LEFT HAND TACH GENERATOR SENSOR PLASTIC CANNON PLUG QUICK CONNECT HOUSING WOULDN'T TIGHTEN ADEQUATELY AND WAS GIVING ERRONEOUS READINGS. IT WAS NOTED THAT THE TACHOMETER SENSOR PLASTIC CANNON PLUG QUICK CONNECTOR JUST SCREWS ON BUT DOES NOT LOCK AS DESIGNED AND THERE IS NO PROVISION TO SAFETY WIRE IT SO AS TO NOT LOOSEN IN FLIGHT OVER TIME.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.