SDR 98ZZZX3014

Service difficulty report · Ring Terminal · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
July 23, 1998
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N33MV
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft serial
318252035
Part
Ring Terminal
Condition
Cracked
Location
Alternator
Part time
4,208 hours
Component
Prestolite · P3CB
Stage of operation
CR
Nature of condition
J
Precautionary procedure
A, H

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

What was found

ON AN EMPTY LEG OF A PART 135 FLIGHT, PILOT NOTICED CHARGING SYSTEM VOLTAGE IN RED WITH FULL LOAD ON CHARGING SYSTEM. PILOT DECREASED LOAD TO GET VOLTAGE BACK IN GREEN, AND RETURNED TO BASE. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE RING TERMINAL ON RIGHT ALTERNATOR AT LEAD WAS CRACKED AND ABOUT TO FALL OFF. SUSPECT CAUSE WAS REPEATED REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION AND VIBRATION. RECOMMEND THAT RUBBER BOOTS BE PULLED BACK AT EACH INSPECTION TO CHECK TERMINALS.

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