What was found
CRACKS IN AFT MAIN GEAR SIDE BRACE FITTING ASSEMBLY P/N 40294-00. WE INITIATED A DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION PROGRAM ON THE FORWARD AND AFT MAIN GEAR SIDE BRACE FITTING ASSEMBLIES OF OUR PIPER CHIEFTAIN NAVAJO FLEET. THE INITIAL INSPECTION OF OUR AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT SEVERAL OF THE AFT FITTING ASSEMBLIES ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT LANDING GEAR HAVE CRACKS LOCATED IN THE LOWER INBOARD WEB OF THE SIDE BRACE (PIPER PART NUMBER 40294-00). AS A RESULT OF FINDING THESE CRACKS, WE HAVE ADDED A 1,000 HOUR SPECIAL INSPECTION TO OUR PA31-350 AAIP, SO THAT WE MAY MONITOR AND REPLACE ANY ASSEMBLIES WHICH EXHIBIT THE CRACKING FOUND IN THE FITTING ASSEMBLIES. IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT THE CRACKS HAVE ONLY BEEN FOUND IN THE AFT ASSEMBLIES ON OUR AIRCRAFT.