Service difficulty report · Flap System · Piper PA18180

Difficulty date
February 12, 2011
Submitted
March 15, 2011
Operation
Air carrier
Make and model
Piper PA18180
Aircraft time
137 hours
Engine
Lyc IO360M1B
Propeller
Mcauly 1P235AFA
Part
Flap System
Condition
Malfunctioned
Location
Te Flaps
Part time
150 hours
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

DURING SCHEDULED INSP, FOUND THAT WITH THE FLAPS EXTENDED INTO ANY POSITION OTHER THAN FULLY RETRACTED, WILL WITH A MINOR LOAD CAUSE THE OPPOSITE FLAP TO GO ASSYMETRIC. IF THE RT FLAP IS PUSHED UP, THE LT WILL DUMP COMPLETELY DOWN AND VISA VERSA. ACFT KIT MFG CONTACTED AND REPLIED THAT THIS DOES NOT OCCUR. CONSTRUCTION MANUAL OBTAINED AND DETERMINED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A DESIGN FAULT. MFG WILL NO LONGER RETURN CALLS.

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