Service difficulty report · Bulkhead · Piper PA44180

Difficulty date
February 29, 2016
Submitted
March 1, 2016
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N287PA
Make and model
Piper PA44180
Aircraft serial
4496110
Aircraft time
8,004 hours
Engine
Lyc O360A1H6
Propeller
Hartzl HCC2YR2
Part
Bulkhead
Part number
86462002
Condition
Cracked
Location
Bs 247
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
V
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 ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, A BULKHEAD AND DOUBLER WERE FOUND CRACKED IN THE EMPENNAGE. THE CRACKS WERE VISIBLE ONLY BY REMOVING THE FAIRING BETWEEN THE VERTICAL FIN LEADING EDGE AND EMPENNAGE AND SEARCHING WITH A MIRROR AND LIGHT. THE BULKHEAD AND DOUBLER ARE THE STRUCTURE USED TO MOUNT THE VERTICAL FIN, AND IT IS SUSPECTED THAT THE CRACKING WAS CAUSED BY FORCES ON THE FIN TRANSFERRING TO THE SURROUNDING STRUCTURE.

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