Service difficulty report · Squat Switch · Piper PA44180

Difficulty date
August 26, 2015
Submitted
August 27, 2015
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N434PA
Make and model
Piper PA44180
Aircraft serial
4496064
Aircraft time
9,518 hours
Engine
Lyc O360A1H6
Part
Squat Switch
Part number
89291004
Condition
Separated
Location
Mlg
Stage of operation
LD
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 AND GEAR RETRACTION, THE CREW NOTED THE GEAR UNSAFE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND WIND NOISE WAS PRESENT, AS THOUGH THE GEAR WAS STILL DOWN. THE CREW SELECTED GEAR DOWN AND THE RT MAIN GEAR INDICATED IT WAS NOT DOWN & LOCKED. THEY RECYCLED THE GEAR AND ASKED THE TOWER FOR A VISUAL; THE TOWER STATED ONLY THE NOSE GEAR WAS DOWN. CREW RECYCLED THE GEAR AGAIN, AND ONLY GOT THE RT MAIN TO COME DOWN. ONE FINAL CYCLE OF THE GEAR FINALLY GOT ALL 3 GEAR TO COME DOWN, ALLOWING A SAFE LANDING. INSPECTION REVEALED THE LT MAIN SQUAT SWITCH WIRES HAD BROKEN AT THE SWITCH BODY, CAUSING INTERMITTENT, IRREGULAR OPERATION OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP.

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