SDR 98ZZZX3891

Service difficulty report · Torque Tube · Piper PA31T1

Difficulty date
August 17, 1998
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N817CT
Make and model
Piper PA31T1
Aircraft serial
31T1104010
Part
Torque Tube
Part number
400407
Condition
Corroded
Location
Rudder
Part time
2,706 hours
Component
5109400
Stage of operation
IN
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

DURING A PHASE INSPECTION, THE RUDDER TORQUE TUBE WAS FOUND CORRODED. THE RUDDER WAS REMOVED. THE TURQUE TUBE WAS VERY HEAVILY CORRODED AND NOT FIT FOR SERVICE. IT WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW PART. THE BOTTOM RIB WAS ALSO REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. WHEN THE SKIN WAS REMOVED FROM THE RUDDER, RESIDUE OF PAINT STRIPPER FOUND. ACFT RECORDS SHOWED ACFT WAS PAINTED IN 10-93. THE NEW TORQUE TUBE, SUPPLIED BY MFG, WAS CORRODED. THIS WAS PAINT STRIPPED AND TREATED BEFORE FITTING. THE RESIDUE OF PAINT STRIPPER, DISSIMILAR METALS OF THE TORQUE TUBE, AND RIB, NO DRAINIAGE HOLE IN THE BOTTOM RIB ALL ADDED TO THE ACCELERATION OF THE CORROSION. THIS AREA OF THE ACFT REQUIRES A REGULAR DETAILED INSPECTION.

More about the Piper PA-31T1