SDR 98ZZZX3945

Service difficulty report · Line · Gulstm AA5B

Difficulty date
October 7, 1998
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N711AP
Make and model
Gulstm AA5B
Aircraft serial
AA5B1314
System (JASC)
3242 · Brake
Part
Line
Part number
5403009501
Condition
Corroded
Location
Cabin
Part time
1,258 hours
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

THE LINE IS LOCATED BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SIDE PANEL IN A VERY HARD TO SEE AREA. IT WAS FOUND CORRODED AND DEEPLY PITTED AND LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID DURING AN AVIONICS INSTALLATION. THE CAUSE OF THE CORROSION WAS DETERMINED TO BE A DEFROSTER DUCT DIRECTLY ABOVE THE LINE AND TOUCHING IT. THE DEFROSTER DUCT WAS THE OLD STYLE SCAT TYPE DUCTING THAT WAS MADE OF COTTON MATERIAL AND IRON FORMING WIRE. OVER THE YEARS, THE COTTON DETERIORATED AND THE IRON WIRE RUSTED FROM MOISTURE AND BEGAN TO POKE THROUGH THE COTTON ALLOWING THE RUSTED WIRE TO CONTACT THE ALUMINUM LINE CAUSING A DISSIMILAR METAL SITUATION AND CORROSION.