SDR FQAR1210031206154

Service difficulty report · Rod End · Piper PA44180

Difficulty date: September 30, 2012
Submitted: October 4, 2012
Operation: General aviation
Aircraft: N438PA
Make and model: Piper PA44180
Aircraft serial: 4496083
Aircraft time: 7,541 hours
System (JASC): 3230 · Landing Gear Retraction/Extension System
Part: Rod End
Part number: 452729
Condition: Broken
Location: Mlg
Stage of operation: CL
How discovered: O
Nature of condition: J
Precautionary procedure: A

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

What was found

AFTER TAKEOFF LANDING GEAR WAS RETRACTED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER INDICATION OF GEAR UP, A GEAR WARNING WAS THEN INDICATED. AFTER LANDING IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ROD END BEARING IN THE NOSE GEAR ACTUATOR HAD BROKEN. THIS ALLOWED THE NOSE GEAR TO EXTEND AND RETURN TO A DOWN AND LOCKED POSITION.

More about the Piper PA-44-180