Service difficulty report · Bulkhead · Piper PA44180

Difficulty date
September 23, 2015
Submitted
September 23, 2015
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N316PA
Make and model
Piper PA44180
Aircraft serial
4496125
Aircraft time
6,405 hours
Engine
Lyc O360A1H6
Part
Bulkhead
Part number
86462002
Condition
Cracked
Location
Not Reported
Part time
6,405 hours
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
K

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

What was found

DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, CRACKS WERE NOTED IN A BULKHEAD IN THE AFT UPPER FUSELAGE ADJACENT TO THE DORSAL FIN FORWARD ATTACH FITTING. THE CRACKS WERE MADE VISIBLE BY REMOVAL OF THE FAIRING THAT COVERS THE FORWARD ATTACH FITTING. FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE BULKHEAD AFTER IT WAS REMOVED REVEALED IT WAS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES- THE OUTBOARDMOST RIVET HOLES, LEFT AND RIGHT, THAT ATTACH IT TO THE P/N 78965-007 DOUBLER. CRACKS RADIATED OUTWARD FROM EACH RIVET HOLE AND A CRACK WAS SEEN IN THE INNER RADIUS OF THE FLANGE AT THE BULKHEAD'S TOP. NO CORROSION WAS PRESENT ON THE BULKHEAD OR ANY ADJACENT PARTS. IT IS SUSPECTED THAT INFLIGHT STRESSES IMPOSED ON THE DORSAL FIN TRANSFERRED TO THE BULKHEAD AND INSTIGATED THE CRACKING.

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