Service difficulty report · Power Cable · Piper PA28181

Difficulty date
September 18, 2026
Submitted
September 19, 2026
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N789ND
Make and model
Piper PA28181
Aircraft serial
2881307
Aircraft time
5,513 hours
Part
Power Cable
Condition
Broken
Location
Alternator
Stage of operation
CR
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
B
Precautionary procedure
A

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

What was found

THE RING TERMINAL ON THE OUTPUT TERMINAL OF THE ALTERNATOR BREAKS OFF, AFTER BREAKING THE TWO PARTS OF THE RING TERMINAL MAKE INTERMITTENT CONTACT; THIS INTERMITTENT CONTACT MAKES THE ALTERNATOR FAIL SWITCH (THAT IS MOUNTED INSIDE THE COCKPIT) OVERHEAT AND SHOOT OUT SPARKS AND SMOKE, THIS CONTINUES UNTIL THE AUX TERMINAL INLINE FUSE BLOWS. AN EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED, AIRCRAFT LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT OR INJURY.

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