Service difficulty report · Doubler · Piper PA44180

Difficulty date
January 3, 2017
Submitted
January 4, 2017
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N433PA
Make and model
Piper PA44180
Aircraft serial
4496063
Aircraft time
9,264 hours
Part
Doubler
Part number
78965007
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 A ROUTINE INSPECTION, A DOUBLER INSTALLED ON A BULKHEAD IN THE EMPENNAGE WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED. THE CRACKED DOUBLER WAS MADE VISIBLE BY REMOVING THE FAIRING BETWEEN THE VERTICAL FIN AND AFT FUSELAGE AND LOOKING AFT AND UP WITH A MIRROR AND FLASHLIGHT. THE DOUBLER, AND THE BULKHEAD IT MOUNTS TO, IS STRUCTURE THAT THE VERTICAL FIN IS MOUNTED. THE CRACKS WERE TO EACH SIDE OF 2 RIVETS THAT LOOK AS THOUGH THEY WERE INCORRECTLY SHOT, OVERSHOT OR CLINCHED. THIS BULKHEAD AND DOUBLER WERE INSTALLED AT MFG.

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