Service difficulty report · Hinge · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
June 12, 2009
Submitted
August 3, 2009
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft time
11,886 hours
Engine
Lyc LTIO540J2BD
Propeller
Hartzl HCE3YR2A
Part
Hinge
Condition
Failed
Location
Aft Pax Door
Part time
12,015 hours
Stage of operation
CL
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
D
Precautionary procedure
A

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

What was found

(CAN) THE ACFT WAS ON DEPARTURE, ENROUTE, APPROX 2 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT. THE FLIGHT CREW NOTICED A LOUD RUSHING AIR SOUND, WHICH WAS QUICKLY IDENTIFIED AS THE REAR DOOR COMING AJAR. AS THEY WERE FINISHING THE TURN, TO RETURN TO THE RUNWAY, REAR UPPER DOOR FLEW OPEN. THE ACFT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT WITH NO FURTHER INCIDENT. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE UPPER AND FWD HINGE (IT HAD SEPARATED). MX REPLACED THE DOOR AND DOOR HINGES PRIOR TO FURTHER FLIGHT.

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