Service difficulty report · Downlock Switch · Piper PA44180

Difficulty date
June 12, 2017
Submitted
June 13, 2017
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N434PA
Make and model
Piper PA44180
Aircraft serial
4496064
Aircraft time
10,392 hours
Engine
Lyc O360A1H6
Part
Downlock Switch
Part number
89291003
Condition
Erratic
Location
Rt Mlg
Part time
342 hours
Stage of operation
NR
How discovered
9
Nature of condition
N
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

PILOTS REPORTED THAT THE RIGHT GEAR DOWN/LOCKED LIGHT WOULD NOT WORK OR WAS BURNED OUT. AFTER SECOND REPORT OF MALFUNCTION, AN EXPANDED GEAR TEST WAS DONE. DURING TEST, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE DIMLY AND FLICKER. WHEN THE GEAR WAS LOWERED AND RAISED REPEATEDLY, THE LIGHT BECAME BRIGHTER AND DID NOT FLICKER. IT APPEARS THAT THE RIGHT GEAR DOWNLOCK SWITCH, WHICH CONTROLS POSITION INDICATION, SUFFERED AN INTERNAL FAILURE.

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