Service difficulty report · Stiffener · Piper PA44180

Difficulty date
August 21, 2019
Submitted
August 21, 2019
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N292PA
Make and model
Piper PA44180
Aircraft serial
4496116
Aircraft time
11,376 hours
System (JASC)
5751 · Ailerons
Part
Stiffener
Condition
Cracked
Location
Lt Aileron
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

HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF AILERONS CRACK WHILE IN SERVICE, CRACKS SEEM TO HAPPEN MOSTLY AT THE 5TH AND 6TH STIFFENING FLUTE. DURING PREVIOUS REPAIRS WE NOTED THAT PIPER CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE LOWER SKIN IN THAT THE 6TH FLUTE WAS SHORTER THAN IN PREVIOUS VERSIONS, CRACKS ARE STILL OCCURING AT THE 5TH AND 6TH FLUTES. THIS AILERON HAD 295 SINCE IT WAS LAST REPAIRED.

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