Service difficulty report · Rib · Piper PA44180

Difficulty date
February 11, 2016
Submitted
February 15, 2016
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N440PA
Make and model
Piper PA44180
Aircraft serial
4496084
Aircraft time
9,318 hours
Engine
Lyc O360A1H6
Propeller
Hartzl HCC2YR1
Part
Rib
Part number
104629002
Condition
Cracked
Location
Lt Wing
Part time
4,192 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 PROGRESSIVE INSPECTION, AN ANGLE IN THE LT WING WAS FOUND CRACKED BEHIND THE LANDING GEAR SIDE BRACE FITTING. THE RIB HAD BEEN INSTALLED IAW SB 1161 & WAS CONTAINED IN KIT, PN 767-397. THE INSTALLATION OF THE RIB KIT IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE TERMINATING ACTION OF THE SB AND IS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT FURTHER CRACKING, BUT APPEARS TO CRACK AT A SIMILAR RATE TO RIBS WITHOUT THE RIB KIT INSTALLED.

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