Service difficulty report · Downlock Switch · Piper PA44180

Difficulty date
March 5, 2015
Submitted
March 5, 2015
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N317PA
Make and model
Piper PA44180
Aircraft serial
4496133
Aircraft time
7,254 hours
Engine
Lyc O360A1H6
Propeller
Hartzl HCC2YR2
Part
Downlock Switch
Part number
89291003
Condition
Separated
Location
Zone 700
Part time
492 hours, 1,295 cycles
Stage of operation
TX
How discovered
9
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

WHILE BEING TAXIED AFTER A MAINTENANCE ENGINE GROUND RUN, THE TECH NOTED THE LT GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED LIGHT WAS FLICKERING OFF AND ON. VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE LT GEAR DOWN LOCK SWITCH REVEALED BROKEN WIRES. THE SWITCH HAS THICK SHRINK WRAP APPLIED TO THE WIRES; IN THIS CASE, THE WIRES WERE NOT HELD STRAIGHT WHEN THE WRAP WAS SHRUNK SO SOME WIRES WERE VERY TIGHT AND OTHERS WERE LOOSE AND BULGING OUT OF THE END OF THE SHRINK WRAP. THE TIGHT WIRES WERE BROKEN OR BREAKING.

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