Service difficulty report · Downlock Switch · Piper PA44180

Difficulty date
October 12, 2026
Submitted
October 14, 2026
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N897AT
Make and model
Piper PA44180
Aircraft serial
4496628
Aircraft time
261 hours
Part
Downlock Switch
Part number
89291003
Condition
Defective
Location
Zone 700
Part time
261 hours
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

LEFT LANDING GEAR DOWN LOCK SWITCH INTERMITTENT FAILURE. THE LEFT GEAR DOWNLOCK SWITCH WAS FOUND TO BE INTERMITTENT WHEN SLIGHT PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE WIRE HARNESS AT BASE OF SWITCH. A LANDING GEAR UNSAFE INDICATION WAS REPORTED ON THE LEFT GEAR 09/23/2026, A MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE BUT DID ADJUSTED THE SWITCH RIGGING. ON 10/03/2026 THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED IN FLIGHT RESULTING IN A GEAR UP LANDING. AGAIN WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS PLACED ON JACKS THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED UNTIL THE WIRES WERE TOUCHED AT THE BASE OF THE SWITCH. NOTHING COULD BE FOUND WRONG WITH THE SWITCH UPON VISUAL INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL. INTERMITTENT INTERNAL FAULT SUSPECTED.

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