Service difficulty report · Downlock Switch · Beech B300

Difficulty date
July 8, 2009
Submitted
August 3, 2009
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Beech B300
Aircraft time
5,039 hours
Engine
Pwa PT6A60A
Propeller
Hartzl HCB4MP3
Part
Downlock Switch
Part number
1003810061
Condition
Failed
Location
Nlg
Stage of operation
DE
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
N
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

(CAN) NLG DOWNLOCK SWITCH, MOUNTED ON DRAG BRACE, FAILED WHEN GEAR WAS SELECTED DOWN. NOSE GEAR WOULD NOT INDICATE GREEN FOR DOWN AND LOCKED. ACFT LANDED SAFELY. FOUND WIRE LOOSE IN SWITCH. SWITCH IS SEALED AT MFG WITH A SILICONE TYPE GASKET WHERE WIRES ENTER SWITCH. IT APPEARS TO WEAKEN OVER TIME WITH FLEXING OF WIRES AND ALLOWS MOISTURE INSIDE. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE RECENTLY. WILL LIKELY BEGIN A FLEET CAMPAIGN TO INSTALL PRC OR SIMILAR SEALANT ON THE WIRING TO PREVENT MOISTURE INGRESS TO THE SWITCHES.

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