Service difficulty report · Belt · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
October 23, 2014
Submitted
March 12, 2015
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Aircraft time
13,917 hours
Engine
Lyc LTIO540J2BD
Part
Belt
Part number
LW18129
Condition
Worn
Location
Alternator
Part time
216 hours
Stage of operation
CR
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

(CAN) RT ENGINE ALTERNATOR CHARGING SYSTEM FAILED IN FLIGHT. THE FLIGHT WAS EXPERIENCING HEAVY RAIN. THE LOCATION OF THE RT ALTERNATOR PUTS IT DIRECTLY INTO THE PATH OF THE ONCOMING RAIN. IT APPEARS THE ALTERNATOR BELT GOT EXCESSIVELY WET AND STARTED SLIPPING. THE SLIPPING CAUSED THE BELT TEETH TO TEAR OFF. THE BELT WAS IN GOOD CONDITION WITH LOW HOURS. THE ALTERNATOR BELT WAS REPLACED AND SYSTEM FUNCTION TESTED SERVICEABLE.

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