Service difficulty report · Fuel Cap · Frchld SA227DC

Difficulty date
May 17, 2007
Submitted
June 7, 2007
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Frchld SA227DC
Aircraft time
5,844 hours
Engine
Garrtt TPE33112UHR
Propeller
Mcauly 4HFR34C652
Part
Fuel Cap
Part number
457370
Condition
Leaking
Location
Lt Wing
Stage of operation
CL
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
K
Precautionary procedure
A

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

What was found

(CAN) SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE CREW NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE LT WING FUEL CAP. THE CREW RETURNED TO BASE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL CAP WAS DEFECTIVE. THE LARGE PLASTIC NUT AT THE BASE OF THE CAP ASSEMBLY IS HELD AT THE CORRECT TORQUE WITH THE USE OF A PIN THAT PASSES THROUGH THE NUT INTO THE BASES OF THE ASSEMBLY. THIS PIN WAS MISSING, WHICH ALLOWED THE NUT TO TURN WHEN THE FUEL CAP WAS OPENED AND CLOSED. THE TORQUE ON THIS NUT SETS THE PROPER SEATING OF THE FUEL CAP. BECAUSE THE NUT BACKED OFF, THE FUEL CAP BECAME LOSE AND ALLOWED FUEL TO LEAK PAST THE FUEL CAP. THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED WITH AN IMPROVED CAP THAT IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT