Service difficulty report · Screw · Piper PA31325

Difficulty date
March 16, 2009
Submitted
April 9, 2009
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Piper PA31325
Engine
Lyc TIO540F2BD
Propeller
Hartzl HCE3YR2A
Part
Screw
Part number
NAS1351C428
Condition
Overtorqued
Location
Hyd Manifold
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) DURING A TEST FLIGHT FOR THE POWER PAK CHANGE, IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE LANDING GEAR SELECTOR LEVER WAS VERY WEAK AND SLUGGISH IN RETURNING TO NEUTRAL. THE HANDLE WOULD STOP APPROX .2500 BEFORE IT CONTACTED THE NEUTRAL STOP. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE 4 SCREWS (NAS1315C4-28) ATTACHING THE MANIFOLD TO THE POWER PAK WERE OVER TORQUED, CAUSING THE LANDING GEAR SELECTOR SPOOL TO BIND AND SEVERLY TIGHTEN UP THE ROTATIONAL FREEDOM OF THE SELECTOR ARM. SCREWS WERE RE-TORQUED TO 35 IN/LBS IAW THE PA31 MM AND SUCCESSFUL GEAR SWINGS WERE CARRIED OUT. THE VENDER WAS CONTACTED.

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