Service difficulty report · Cowling · Piper PA32R300

Difficulty date
December 11, 2001
Submitted
January 3, 2002
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N108NS
Make and model
Piper PA32R300
Aircraft serial
32R7680288
Engine
Lyc TIO540*
Part
Cowling
Part number
6878004
Condition
Failed
Location
Lt Engine Cowl
Stage of operation
NR
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
D, F
Precautionary procedure
O

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

What was found

WHILE IN FLIGHT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE UPPER ENGINE COWLING CAME LOOSE. THIS CAUSED THE COWLING TO RISE UP AND RIP OUT THE FORWARD PINS. A LARGE SECTION OF THE LEFT SIDE WAS TORN AWAY AND LOST. NO DEFECTS OR REPAIRS WERE NOTED ON THIS COWLING PRIOR TO FAILURE.

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