Service difficulty report · Switch · Piper PA31

Difficulty date
November 1, 1999
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
Air carrier
Make and model
Piper PA31
Engine
Lyc TIO540A2B
Propeller
Hartzl HCE2YR2
Part
Switch
Part number
487898
Condition
Failed
Location
Heater
Part time
8,223 hours
Stage of operation
IN
Nature of condition
B
Precautionary procedure
H

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

What was found

(CAN) WHILE ON GROUND AND ENGINES RUNNING, HEATER WAS SELECTED ON. SMOKE AND SMELL EMANATED FROM UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. MASTER SWITCH TURNED OFF-NO SMOKE. RE-ATTEMPT MASTER ON - HEATER FAN STARTED BY ITSELF WITH HEATER SWITCH TURNED OFF PILOT FELT SWITCH TO BE HOT. UNPOPPED CIRCUIT BREAKER PULLED, MASTER ON, AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO BASE. SWITCH REPLACED AND PROPERLY WIRED USING AM 36152 TERMINALS.

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