Service difficulty report · Rib · Piper PA44180

Difficulty date
March 23, 2017
Submitted
March 29, 2017
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N440PA
Make and model
Piper PA44180
Aircraft serial
4496084
Aircraft time
9,897 hours
Engine
Lyc O360A1H6
Part
Rib
Part number
95028003
Condition
Cracked
Location
Rt Wing
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 NOSE RIB IN THE RIGHT WING WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED. RIB IN QUESTION IS LOCATED AT WING STA 50.5; CRACKING WAS SEEN WHERE RIB ADJOINS WING SPAR, DIRECTLY NEXT TO ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP. CRACKING OCCURRED AT RIVET HOLES. IT IS SUSPECTED THAT CRACKING IS CAUSED BY LOADS ON LANDING GEAR TRANSFERRING TO SURROUNDING STRUCTURE, INCLUDING THIS RIB.

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