Service difficulty report · Bolt · Piper PA31T

Difficulty date
June 9, 2003
Submitted
June 16, 2003
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Piper PA31T
Aircraft time
10,211 hours
Engine
Pwa PT6A28
Propeller
Hartzl HCB3TN3
Part
Bolt
Part number
AN3H7A
Condition
Sheared
Location
Nlg Steering
Stage of operation
DE
How discovered
O
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

(CAN) AFTER GEAR WAS SELECTED DOWN AND THE CREW HAD THREE GREEN LIGHTS, THE PILOT NOTICED THAT THE NOSE WHEEL WAS NOT CENTERED. THE PILOT WAS ADVISED TO KEEP THE WEIGHT OFF OF THE NOSE WHEEL AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND LANDED THE AIRCRAFT SAFELY WITHOUT INCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION, THE THREE AN3 BOLTS HOLDING THE STEERING ARM TO THE NOSE GEAR CYLINDER WERE FOUND TO BE SHEARED. A 1200 HR REPLACEMENT INTERVAL HAS NOW BEEN ADDED TO THIS OPERATOR'S MAINTENANCE TRACKING SYSTEM.

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