Service difficulty report · Bolt · Piper PA18150

Difficulty date
April 7, 2003
Submitted
April 14, 2003
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Piper PA18150
Aircraft time
5,446 hours
Engine
Lyc O320A2B
Propeller
Snsnch 74DM
Part
Bolt
Part number
AN721
Condition
Sheared
Location
Tailwheel Assy
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
9
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

(CAN) GROUND CREW WAS MOVING THE AIRCRAFT ON RAMP AND RAN TAILWHEEL OF AIRCRAFT OVER SMALL ICE RIDGE IN ORDER TO GAIN ACCESS TO POSITION FOR PARKING. JOLT FROM THE WHEEL JUMPING ICE RIDGE RESULTED IN COLLAPSE OF THE TAILWHEEL ASSEMBLY FROM THE LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT ATTACHING BOLT HAD SHEARED AND ALLOWED THIS CONDITION TO OCCUR. FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY MAINTENANCE REVEALED THAT THE BOLT HAD LIKELY BEEN PARTIALLY SHEARED FOR SOME TIME AND GONE UNDETECTED HOWEVER, THE BRIEF JOLT FROM THE GROUND HANDLING INCIDENT WAS ENOUGH TO COMPLETELY SEVERE THE BOLT ITSELF. THE ROOT CONDITION IS DUE TO REPEATED LANDINGS IN THE FLIGHT TRAINING ENVIRONMENT WITH THIS AIRCRAFT. BOLT WAS REPLACED.

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