Service difficulty report · Oil Cooler · Piper PA28181

Difficulty date
June 12, 2015
Submitted
June 15, 2015
Operation
General aviation
Filed by
FQAR173S
Bird Acquisition LLC.
Aircraft
N923PA
Make and model
Piper PA28181
Aircraft serial
2843277
Aircraft time
16,163 hours
Engine
Lyc O360A4M
Part
Oil Cooler
Part number
8001080
Part serial
35610077
Condition
Leaking
Location
Zone 200
Part time
66 hours
Stage of operation
TX
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
K
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

WHILE THE ACFT WAS BEING PARKED AFTER A ROUTINE FLIGHT, THE PILOTS NOTED OIL STREAKING DOWN THE LT SIDE OF THE FUSELAGE, FROM THE LT SIDE OF THE TOP COWLING ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE TAIL. OIL ALSO BEGAN DRIPPING DOWN ONTO THE NLG. MAINTENANCE REMOVED THE TOP COWLING AND DISCOVERED THE OIL WAS COMING FROM THE PLEATS IN THE OIL COOLER. THE LEAK ALLOWED SEVERAL QUARTS OF OIL TO ESCAPE ON THE 2 HOUR FLIGHT.

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