Service difficulty report · Spring · Piper PA44180

Difficulty date
November 27, 2003
Submitted
January 5, 2004
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Piper PA44180
Aircraft time
2,864 hours
Engine
Lyc O360A1H
Propeller
Hartzl HCC2YR2
Part
Spring
Part number
6720300
Condition
Worn
Location
Mlg Downlock
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
V
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) UPON DISCOVERY OF A BROKEN DOWNLOCK SPRING THE LT DOWNLOCK SPRING WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS FOUND TO BE WORN ON THE LOWER END ON THE CURVED PART OF THE SPRING WHERE IT HOOKS ONTO THE TRUNION. THIS SPRING KEEPS THE DOWNLOCK HOOKS IN PLACE. IF IT BREAKS THE ONLY THING KEEPING THE MAIN GEAR LOCKED IS THE HYDRAULIC PUMP. IF POWER TO THE AIRCRAFT IS REMOVED ANY GROUND HANDLING OF THE AIRCRAFT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THE GEAR TO COLLAPSE.

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