SDR AP1718879

Service difficulty report · Antenna · Piper PA28R180

Difficulty date
August 12, 2004
Submitted
September 27, 2004
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N7579J
Make and model
Piper PA28R180
Aircraft serial
28R30969
Engine
Lyc IO360A1A
Part
Antenna
Condition
Broken
Location
Elt
Component
Elt
Component part number
AL450
Stage of operation
NR
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

ELT ANTENNA SHAFT IS BREAKING OFF AT BASE AND ANTENNA BEING LOST IN FLIGHT. BASE THAT CONNECTS TO COAX IS STILL ON PLANE. CENTER SHAFT IS ACTUAL ANTENNA IS HELD IN PLACE WITH A JAM TYPE-LOCKING FEATURE. ANTENNA ROD IS CRIMPED TO A PIN THAT MAKES CONTACT WITH COAX LEAD. THEY ARE BREAKING, REPLACED SIX ANTENNAS THAT LOSE CONTINUITY OR COMPLETELY GONE WHEN AC ARRIVES. ANTENNA SHAFT IS NOT RIGGED TO PUT ON AN AC THAT FLIES OVER 100 KNOTS. INCASE OF AN ACCIDENT ELT WOULD ONLY BE A DEAD WEIGHT. MAYBE AT MOST A VERY WEEK SIGNAL WOULD BE TRANSMITTED IF ANY. SUGGEST THAT YOU PUT OUT A LETTER TO CHECK THE CONTINUITY BETWEEN THE ANTENNA AND THE CONNECTION ON THE ELT UNIT MADE.

More about the Piper PA-28R-180